Northridge Is Set to Shoot for Big Sky
Should be quite a climax to the Big Sky Conference race.
Cal State Northridge saw to that Saturday night. So did Bobby Braswell, the Matadors’ coach.
Northridge (18-9, 11-3 in the Big Sky) maintained its one-game hold on first place with an 85-65 rout of Montana State before an energetic 1,713 at Northridge.
Next up for Northridge?
A showdown Thursday at Eastern Washington (15-9, 10-4), which is a game behind the Matadors with two games to play. The Eagles were 88-75 winners last month at Northridge.
A victory and Northridge will clinch its first Big Sky regular-season championship and the right to host the six-team conference tournament March 8-10.
A tall order, perhaps, considering Northridge has not won at Eastern Washington in four years. But one the Matadors will deliver.
That’s according to their coach.
Moments after the final buzzer Saturday, Braswell grabbed the court-side microphone. After thanking the fans and the team’s seniors, honored before tip-off in their final regular-season home game, he offered a prediction.
“And we will be back here in a couple of weeks,” he said.
There’s no doubting the Matadors, winners of seven of their last eight, are confident and appear to be playing their best basketball of the season. They can finish no worse than second in the conference, ensuring them a bye in the first round of the conference tournament.
Center Brian Heinle notched his 16th double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Forward Lionel Benjamin, in his third consecutive start, had a career-high 15 points. Guard Markus Carr tied his own school record with 15 assists.
The Matadors held off a brief rally by the Bobcats (15-13, 7-8) late in the first half to lead from start to finish for the second consecutive game.
But Northridge is certain to face a fired-up team Thursday, as Braswell’s comment is certain to produce bulletin-board material.
“Great,” he said. “I think it’s just simple. It’s down to one game this Thursday night. It’s basically for the championship. I want the guys to understand that. We know it’s not going to be easy. We’re confident, but not cocky.”
Heinle, among several seniors honored, echoed Braswell’s sentiment.
“If he wasn’t going to say it, I was going to grab the [microphone] and say it,” Heinle said. “This was a big night for me, supposedly my last game here. But we don’t want to have any let-ups. If I have anything to say about it, this isn’t going to be my last game here.”
Carr agreed.
“I think it’s a valid [prediction],” Carr said. “We’re peaking right now.”
Northridge, completing a season sweep of Montana State, built leads early and late. Marco McCain, for the second consecutive game, gave the Matadors the lead with a three-pointer in the opening minute.
Northridge led by 12 in the first half, but the Bobcats cut the margin to 45-41 at the half. An 8-0 run early in the second half restored Northridge’s momentum. Benjamin, starting in place of ailing Jeff Parris, scored nine points as the Matadors extended the lead to 57-45.
Northridge closes the regular season Saturday at Portland State.
Eastern Washington, an 80-68 winner over Cal State Sacramento on Saturday, finishes Big Sky play at home against Northern Arizona.
(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)
BIG SKY STANDINGS
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Conference Season
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School W L GB W L CS Northridge 11 3 -- 18 9 E. Washington 10 4 1 15 9 Weber State 8 6 2 1/2 14 11 N. Arizona 8 6 3 14 11 Idaho State 8 6 3 12 13 Montana State 7 8 3 1/2 15 13 Portland State 5 9 5 8 17 Montana 5 10 5 1/2 10 16 Sacramento 2 12 8 5 20
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Saturday’s Results
CS Northridge 85, Montana State 65
E. Washington 80, CS Sacramento 68
Idaho State 78, Portland State 77
No. Arizona 77, Montana 66
Weber State 59, Morris Brown 56