CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE ADVANCES AS UC RIVERSIDE FALLS
Matadors meet the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the NIT Round of 8
- Cal State Northridge continued its quest in the NIT with a 70-53 thumping of TCU. However, UC Riverside failed to make it an all-big East quaterfinals after falling to Oklahoma State, 66-56, later in the afternoon.
The Matadors led at the half, 32-27, and were really in no danger as they routed the Horned Frogs in their battle at the boards 34-20. A 13-3 run midway in the second half sealed the victory for the Big West season champions.
Bobby Joe Parks was the high point man for the Matadors with a game high 17 points to earn him the Player of the Game honors.
Lorenzo Paez added 12 while
Trevor Simms had a double-double 10 points and 10 rebounds.
DeWitt Maynard and
W.B. Andrews led the Horned Frogs with 12 apiece.
It was almost the same story later in the day. Senior point guard
Mark Locklier went into early foul trouble and from thereon the Cowboys took advantage against the hapless Highlanders. Though the Cowboys took the half at 34-25, the Highlanders came within striking distance at 40-37 after a 12-4 run. But that was the closest they could get as
Noah Tinsley, together with
Alan O’Hara and
Nile Garrity, took over the game for the Cowboys.
Player of the Game O’Hara led all scorers with 18 points, including 4 triples. Garrity and Tinsley finished with 15 and 10 respectively for the Cowboys.
Smush Haynes and
Buster Saunders combined for 24 rebounds as they routed the Highlanders off the boards 33-23. Graduating senior
Frank Derozan was the high point man for the Highlanders while
Orlando Rodgers added 10.