CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE LOSES STEAM, BOWS OUT OF NIT
Cowboys defeat the tough Matadors in a close game, 92-83
- Cal State Northridge succumbed to Oklahoma State and ended its dream run in the NIT Regional. The Cowboys defeated the Matadors 92-83 in an uptempo and high-scoring game. The Matadors lost steam after coming within striking distance, 85-83, with 50 seconds left in the ballgame.
The Matadors employed their pressing defense, something they didn’t do in their previous games against New Mexico and TCU, and jumped to an early 14-1 lead. It didn’t last long,
Buster Saunders and
Alan O’Hara went on fire and combined to wrest the lead for the Cowboys ending the half at 45-41. It was nip and tuck from thereon with the lead changing hands 5 times until
Patrick Garrity, who was at the bench most of time in the first half with foul troubles, made it a 5-point game at 85-80 with 1:15 remaining. However,
Emeka Barrett buried a 3-pointer from the right baseline to pull the Matadors within 2, 85-83, time down to 50.6 seconds. The Cowboys didn’t waste any time in the return play as Garrity was left open in a left elbow for the clincher.
Saunders was high-point man for the Cowboys with 20 points and was named Player of the Game. O’Hara and
Deji Spong added 16 and 13 respectively while
Smush Haynes and
Noah Tinsley, who dished out a game high 10 assists, contributed 11 apiece.
Trevor Simms led the Matadors with a game high 24 points while Barrett finished with 19.
Bobby Joe Parks, who have been starting in lieu of the injured
Tarick Hoskin, and
Lorenzo Paez had 12 and 10 respectively.