Northridge Crowds Into 1-Game Lead

Cal State Northridge needs a bigger basketball arena.

The Matadors won’t have one, of course, in time for the Big Sky Conference tournament in three weeks. So, it looks like accommodations will be cramped.

Before its largest home crowd in more than three years, Northridge outlasted Northern Arizona, 78-72, on Saturday night to take sole possession of first place and move a step closer to earning the right to host the Big Sky tournament.

“This is what I call another character-builder,” Northridge Coach Bobby Braswell said. “It was definitely a step in the right direction.”

A raucous standing-room only 1,850 helped carry the Matadors (16-9, 9-3 in the Big Sky) past Northern Arizona (12-11, 6-6) in another tight contest.

Only 26 points separate the Matadors and Lumberjacks in the last six meetings, including Northern Arizona’s 85-81 overtime victory in the Big Sky tournament final last season.

Forward Jeff Parris, despite missing practice this week because of a sore back, scored 18 points off the bench--12 during the second half, including eight consecutive Northridge points that snapped a 64-64 tie.

Northridge took the lead for good, 66-64, on two free throws by Parris with 4:46 to play.

Center Brian Heinle notched his 14th double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds.

“It’s always a good game with them,” Heinle said. “They’re pretty much our rival. It’s always a good game, no matter what the circumstances.”

This one mattered.

Northridge is a game ahead of Eastern Washington with four games to play. It’s obvious the Matadors, 9-1 at home, stand a greater chance of advancing to the NCAA tournament if they host the tournament.

“We don’t want to play on the road. No one does,” guard John Burrell said. “We have an opportunity to keep it right here in our house and that’s what we’re going to do.”

It also might have been a glimpse of things to come.

The public-address announcer informed the crowd that tournament tickets will go on sale next week.

Northridge administrators have committed to hosting the tournament rather than move it to a larger venue. If the Matadors don’t falter, they’re likely to face a similar elbow-to-elbow situation for the six-team tournament March 8-10.

About 200 spectators watched from behind railings above both sides of the court. Dozens were turned away at the door. The crowd was Northridge’s largest since 2,013 attended a game against Pepperdine in November 1997.

“That was a good crowd,” guard Markus Carr said. “We’re out to make our fans proud. We really enjoy it. We’re not used to seeing all those people standing up in the back.”

The support was needed. Northridge trailed, 37-36, at halftime.

The Lumberjacks outrebounded Northridge, 40-36, while displaying their usual three-point shooting flair.

Guard Adam Lopez, whose three-point basket with nine seconds to play gave the Lumberjacks a 76-75 victory over Northridge last month, made four three-pointers. Lopez led Northern Arizona with 18 points.

Lopez banked in a desperation three-pointer to give the Lumberjacks a 59-56 lead. Lopez’s off-balance three-pointer from the corner cut Northridge’s lead to 68-67 with three minutes to play.

Guard Cory Schwab, who entered with 82 three-pointers to rank third in the nation, scored 10 points, including two three-pointers.

The Lumberjacks were 10 of 23 from behind the arc.

“The thing I like is that we showed some character,” Braswell said. “We knew it would be a tough game. It was good for our guys to face some adversity.”

Carr, who had 10 points and 10 assists, made two free throws to give Northridge a 74-70 lead with 33 seconds left.

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BIG SKY STANDINGS

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Conference Season School W L GB W L CS Northridge 9 3 -- 16 9 E. Washington 8 4 1 13 9 Weber State 8 6 2 13 11 Idaho State 7 5 2 11 12 Montana State 7 6 2 1/2 15 11 N. Arizona 6 6 3 12 11 Portland State 5 7 4 8 15 Montana 5 8 4 1/2 10 14 Sacramento 1 11 8 4 19

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Saturday’s Results

CS Northridge 78, Northern Arizona 72

Idaho State 72, Montana State 70 (OT)

Weber State 98, Cal State Sacramento 88