California State University at Northridge
2-4
Portland State
4-0
Matadors Defeated By Portland State 63-55
11/27/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. -
Despite using a late rally and holding Portland State without a field goal over the last 6:49 of the game, the CSUN Matadors (2-4) could not overcome the Vikings (4-0) in a 63-55 loss on Wednesday night in a non-conference game at The Matadome. Senior forward Stephen Maxwell turned in another double-double performance for the Matadors, but Portland State led wire-to-wire to secure the win over its former conference rival.
"I think that the guys forgot who they are. They were probably thinking about turkey and dressing instead of what they had to do tonight because they did not come out ready to play," said CSUN head coach Reggie Theus. "They weren't focused offensively or defensively."
Although the Vikings led from start to finish on the night, the Matadors made the game interesting in the late stages. A 19-point lead for Portland State was whittled down to just six with 1:30 to go in the game, but the Vikings found the right time to start converting free-throw opportunities and made six of their final eight to cement the victory.
Maxwell went 5-of-10 from the field and 4-for-4 at the free-throw line to lead the Matadors with 14 points in the game. He added 10 rebounds and an assist in 35 minutes to record the 32nd double-double of his career. Maxwell is currently the Big West Conference leader in double-doubles this season with three in six contests.
"I know how the opponents are going to play me and that the focus is on me, so I need to make the extra effort to get open on offense," said Maxwell. "I need to be mentally tough out there and know what we are getting into."
Senior guard Stephan Hicks was 6-of-9 from the floor and had 13 points to go along with seven rebounds and three assists. Forward Tre Hale-Edmerson chipped in eight points and nine rebounds.
Sophomore guard Aaron Parks scored nine points late in the game and had four rebounds, while reserve guard Taelin Webb led the way with four assists and had a pair of blocks.
Forward Tiegbe Bamba led Portland State with 18 points and eight rebounds, while DaShaun Wiggins added 10 points in 27 minutes off the bench.
As a team, the Matadors shot 38.3 percent from the field and went 8-for-10 at the line. CSUN also won the battle in the paint 36-22 and had 16 second-chance points to the Vikings' three. However, Portland State cashed in on seven 3-pointers and caused 18 turnovers in the game.
CSUN will look to rebound from the loss to Portland State when the team travels to the Pacific Northwest this weekend. The Matadors will face Seattle University on Saturday, Nov. 29, at 7 p.m. at KeyArena in Seattle. Live stats and a free audio broadcast of the game against the Redhawks will be available on GoMatadors.com.
