Northridge Comes Up Short Against Utah’s Size, 79-56

SALT LAKE CITY —  It was a tall order facing Cal State Northridge. A little too tall.

The Matadors, who haven’t beaten a Division I men’s basketball team since the early part of this decade, came to Utah with a load of youthful optimism but an absence of anything else. After staying in the game for half of the first half, Northridge crumbled and, finally, collapsed, 79-56, against Utah here Saturday night.

The highlights for the Matadors came fast and furious and ended with just more than seven minutes left in the opening half. Until then, they led most of the way, at one time by four points.

But CSUN Coach Pete Cassidy had a sinking feeling that it was a matter of time before the Utes steamrolled the smaller Matadors.

“They were bigger and quicker inside,” Cassidy said. “It was tough on Todd Bowser, he was so overwhelmed. They were so much bigger.”

Even worse, they were better.

Utah’s starting front line included 6-11 center Paul Van Maren and forwards Jimmy Madison, 6-8, and Mitch Smith, 6-8. CSUN countered that with 6-5 Paul Hobus, 6-5 Ray Horwath and 6-4 Pat Bolden. Bowser, 6-7, came off the bench to collect 6 rebounds and 6 points.

When Utah’s Albert Springs slammed in an offensive rebound with four minutes left in the first half, the Utes led, 31-25. CSUN forward Pat Bolden bombed a three-point shot that rocketed hard off the glass, and when Utah’s Sie Moore went to finish off the break, Bolden hacked him. Moore’s free throws made it an eight-point lead.

By halftime, the Matadors trailed, 44-29.

“This was a learning experience, in every sense of the word,” said CSUN assistant Rusty Smith.

“It better have been a learning experience,” Cassidy added. “We don’t get anything else out of this.”

Except a little money. Every year, the Matadors schedule a couple Division I teams and are guaranteed approximately $5,000 to show up, get smoked and have a learning experience. Still, Cassidy said it’s worth it.

“It’s good for them,” he said, pointing toward the locker room..

For Utah, the second half provided little more than target practice for its second-string players. The Matadors (0-3), though, struggled, trying to find workable combinations in the lineup. Newcomer Ray Horwath, who has looked strong in practice and in CSUN’s two previous losses, finished with two points before eventually fouling out. Freshman Cliff Barnes scored 7 points and grabbed 3 rebounds in 11 minutes and Kennard Moulden had 11 points in 15 minutes.

Cassidy said he plans on having his best lineup worked out by January, when the CCAA season begins.

“We just broke down,” Bolden said, shaking his head. “We still need a lot of work.”