Burrell Has Become Northridge Hotshot

John Burrell has lived up to expectations of being an impact player for Cal State Northridge.

Burrell, a 6-3 guard and transfer from Nevada, ranks third in scoring for Northridge, averaging 14.1 points, and is among the Matadors’ best perimeter shooters.

Burrell is the team’s best free-throw shooter at 83.1% (27 of 29) and is among team leaders in three-point shooting, sinking 10 of 31 (32.3%).

Burrell was a high scorer for Highland High, Antelope Valley College and Nevada. Burrell, who sat out last season after transferring, led the Wolfpack with 16.4 points, on 85.1% free-throw percentage and 31.9% shooting (45 of 141) from three-point range.

Burrell buried a game-tying three-pointer with two seconds to play in regulation against Kent State, spurring the Matadors to an 89-85 victory in overtime.

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Northridge plays at James Madison on Monday night. They have met once, with Northridge winning, 77-64, at Northridge in 1998.

James Madison (4-3), located in Harrisonburg, Va., had its 22-game home winning streak snapped last week, 65-54, by George Mason.

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Northridge’s women’s basketball team takes to the road for three games, beginning Sunday with a 2 p.m. game at Pepperdine.

The Matadors (3-4) play Tuesday at Nevada Las Vegas and Thursday at Arizona State, alma mater of Northridge Coach Frozena Jerro.

Pepperdine (7-2) holds a 15-3 series lead over Northridge dating to 1978. The Matadors won last season, 69-62, at Northridge.

Guard LaShaunda Fowler averaged 12 points in the last four games, with a high of 17.

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Devin Montgomery of Moorpark was selected Western State Conference player of the week after scoring 56 points in two games.

Montgomery, a 6-foot sophomore from Alemany High, had 31 points in a 95-65 victory over West L.A. He had 24 points in the Raiders’ 93-76 victory over Bakersfield. He ranks sixth in scoring in the Western State Conference, averaging 20.4 points.

Defending champion Moorpark (10-2) will compete in the Glendale tournament through Saturday.

Marilyn Dubon of Glendale leads WSC women at 20.8 points a game.