California State University Northridge Athletics
California State University at Northridge
6-13, 2-2BWC
Cal Poly
8-8, 1-3BWC
CSUN Avenges 2014 Finals Loss, Beats Cal Poly 55-48
1/18/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
En Español
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. -
Stephen Maxwell recorded a double-double and Devonte Elliott provided another strong shooting night as the CSUN Matadors (6-13, 2-2 Big West) defeated the visiting Cal Poly Mustangs (8-8, 1-3 Big West) 55-48 in a rematch of the 2014 Big West Conference Championship on Saturday night at The Matadome. The Matadors shot 60 percent in the second half to come from behind in their first win over Cal Poly since 2012.
"This team had beaten us five times in a row and I wanted our guys to understand that you have to take certain things personally," said CSUN head coach Reggie Theus. "This is the team that took away our chance to make the NCAA Tournament. We had to come out and establish something personal and mental for the next time we play them."
In a hard-fought, low-scoring contest, the Matadors adapted to a slower tempo and were able to outlast the Mustangs by the time the final whistle blew. After CSUN led 8-4 after the first media timeout, Cal Poly used a mixture of 3-pointers and three-point plays to build a 17-11 lead with fewer than five minutes remaining in the half.
Baskets by Maxwell, Elliott and Stephan Hicks allowed the Matadors to tie the game, but Joel Awich and David Nwaba answered in the final minute. A jumper by Ajon Efferson helped CSUN whittle the deficit to two points, 21-19, going into the locker room.
"We know their style of play and that they like to slow the game down," said Maxwell. "Coach told us to go into the contact and be focused on making our shots and for the most part I think we shot a high percentage."
The Mustangs jumped out to a seven-point lead early in the second half before a quick run by the Matadors that included a jumper by Elliott, a dunk by Maxwell and a 3-pointer by Hicks brought the team within one. Cal Poly was able to hold a narrow lead until the nine-minute mark, when Maxwell hit a pair of free throws to tie the score at 38-38.
Two free throws by Aaron Parks shortly after gave the Matadors a lead they would not surrender the rest of the way. Leading by three with under a minute to play, Elliott found Maxwell for a jumper after breaking the press to put CSUN ahead five. Hicks followed with a pair of foul shots to seal the victory.
Maxwell finished the night with a game-high 21 points and 10 rebounds to secure his 37th career double-double. Elliott added 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting and went 3-for-4 at the free-throw line. He had seven rebounds as well to go along with two assists and a block.
"Scoring down low gives me a better opportunity to get on the outside and knock down my shot and get comfortable taking the shot," said Elliott.
Hicks scored 13 points and made five field goals, passing Brian Heinle to become CSUN's all-time leader with 594 made shots. Tre Hale-Edmerson had five assists and a pair of blocks in 31 minutes.
Awich led the Mustangs with 15 points, a new career high, and Brian Bennett had a game-high 14 rebounds.
As a team, the Matadors held Cal Poly to 32.1 percent shooting (18-of-56) and had 16 assists on 21 made baskets. CSUN overcame a slow start to score 36 points in the second half and win for the first time this year when trailing at halftime.
The Matadors will remain at home next week for a pair of contests on ESPN3. CSUN will first host UC Irvine on Thursday, Jan. 22, before welcoming Long Beach State to The Matadome on Saturday, Jan. 24. Both games will tip-off at 7 p.m.
