AREA COLLEGE NOTEBOOK

Weeks have passed since Jermar Welch did more than stretch or shoot free throws on a basketball court.

For Welch, a 6-foot-6 junior forward for Cal State Northridge, the tempo will change this weekend.

Welch, who suffered torn ligaments in his left thumb in November, is expected to rejoin the Matadors for a Big Sky Conference game Saturday at Northern Arizona.

Northridge (14-6, 6-3 in Big Sky play) has won four of its last five games and is a game behind first-place Eastern Washington. Northern Arizona has the Big Sky’s longest winning streak at five games.

Welch was injured in the opener at USC and was wearing a cast until two weeks ago.

“Mentally, I’m ready,” Welch said. “Physically, it’s taking time. I just want to make sure I do everything that’s needed. Practice is making it happen. I’m getting back a lot of my strength.”