In Reverse, CSUN Shifts in the Clutch

NORTHRIDGE —  Cal State Northridge was crumbling. Its lead was melting away and visions of winning its first men’s basketball game in the Big Sky Conference were getting blurry.

So during a timeout with 6:46 to play and the Matadors’ advantage over Portland State down from 11 to five, first-year Coach Bobby Braswell delivered a stern message.

“I told them they were playing not to lose and they needed to play to win,” he said. “I said, ‘You need to keep being aggressive offensively and defensively.’ ”

Soon after the team broke the huddle, Keith Higgins soared into the air and grunted as he swatted away a shot.

Aggressive enough, Coach?

A few minutes of inspired play later, Northridge was comfortably back on top on its way to a 78-62 victory Thursday night before 554 at Matador Gym.

The Matadors (5-6) have their best record after 11 games in the program’s seven Division I seasons and are in first place in the Big Sky. So what if they’ve only played one conference game.

“I told the guys to enjoy this feeling,” Braswell said.

It was a feeling Northridge could enjoy only because the Matadors were able to gather themselves late in a sloppy second half and execute when it mattered most.

“We know how it feels to lose,” said center Kevin Taylor, “and it seemed like when they pulled to within five, we got together and said we are going to refuse to lose this first Big Sky game at home.”

Said Braswell: “It’s a huge leap for this team because we have not had a history of holding leads.”

The Higgins brothers, Keith and Derrick, were the keys in the closing minutes.

With 3:15 to play and Northridge ahead, 63-56, Derrick intercepted a pass, dribbled downcourt and missed a layup, which was put back in by his brother.

On Portland State’s next possession, Derrick blocked a shot right to Keith, who drove to the basket and somehow managed to put in a layup while Jamie Snook was climbing his back in a what was called an intentional foul.

Keith made one free throw and made another after he was fouled on Northridge’s ensuing possession.

Keith Higgins’ six quick points gave Northridge a 69-56 lead with 2:31 to play, putting away a game that had been getting too close for the Matadors’ comfort, considering the Vikings (2-8) had not beaten a Division I team all season.

Taylor scored 16 points for the Matadors and Gerald Rhoden added 14, all in the first half.

Senior center Matt Andrews, whose previous high had been six points, scored 10 by halftime and finished with 13.

But it was Northridge’s defense that won the game. The Matadors held Portland State to 39% shooting, including 19% from three-point range. The Vikings came into the game shooting 39% from beyond the arc.

Derrick Higgins held Mike Vanderhoff, Portland State’s leading scorer, to five points.