Eastern Washington Makes Itself at Home at Northridge Again

Cal State Northridge might be favored to win the Big Sky Conference. But since when have the Matadors intimidated Eastern Washington?

The Eagles again had their way with Northridge on Saturday night, marching into the Matadome and manhandling the Matadors during the second half of an 88-75 Big Sky victory before 1,483.

Eastern Washington beat Northridge for the fifth consecutive time, three at the Matadome, where Northridge was 12-1 last season and 6-0 this season after a victory over Portland State on Thursday night.

Northridge (11-8, 4-2 in the Big Sky) dropped into a four-way tie for second, along with Eastern Washington (9-7, 4-2), Northern Arizona and Weber State.

Montana State (4-1) is in first by a half-game.

Eastern Washington was patient with its shots and overpowering beneath both baskets.

The Eagles out-rebounded the Matadors, 37-26, and often benefited from more than one offensive rebound.

Forward Chris White had 21 points and 12 rebounds, and forward Aaron Olson had 28 points. The victory completed a two-game road sweep for the Eagles, who won at Northern Arizona, 72-65, on Thursday.

Eastern Washington holds a 9-4 series edge against Northridge.

“They’re pretty good on the road,” Northridge Coach Bobby Braswell said. “They came in here and put it to us. They deserved it.”

Center Brian Heinle led Northridge with 22 points and seven rebounds. But he had only six points in the second half on one-of-seven shooting. Forward Jeff Parris had 11 points and five rebounds.

The Eagles frontcourt out-rebounded the Matadors’, 18-12.

“They came down and beat us bad on the boards,” Parris said. “Offensively and defensively.”

Northridge has not defeated Eastern Washington since a 104-98 overtime victory during the Big Sky tournament in 1998.

The Matadors last victory on their home floor against Eastern Washington was a 77-66 victory in January 1997.

But as far as Braswell was concerned, the opponent was irrelevant. The Matadors’ lethargy was more telling.

“I was disappointed by our effort in the second half and I challenged some guys,” Braswell said. “In the second half, I thought we didn’t show any character at all.

“I think, maybe, our guys are looking at our press clippings too much. Some of our guys are not bringing what they need to bring. If we don’t see that [change] on Monday, you’re going to see some changes.”

Eastern Washington held a 41-40 halftime lead. The game see-sawed early in the second half, with the lead changing hands on six consecutive possessions.

The Eagles used a 7-0 run to take a 56-48 lead and kept up pressure.

Eastern Washington out-rebounded the Matadors, 22-9, in the second half.

“Our defense is what wins us games,” White said. “We come after you.”

White’s basket, after three passes, with seven minutes to play gave Eastern Washington its first 12-point lead at 69-57 and typified the Eagles’ attack.

“They ran their stuff and they were disciplined,” Heinle said. “They came in and stuck to their plan and it worked.”