CSUN Gets Back on Winning Track with 84-48 Victory Over MVSU

Friday, November 24

Northridge, Calif.

7:00 p.m.

California State University at Northridge

4-2,0-0Big West

Mississippi Valley State

0-6,0-0SWAC

Mississippi Val.

CSUN

Photo by: Connor Clark

CSUN Gets Back on Winning Track with 84-48 Victory Over MVSU

11/24/2023 9:49:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

NORTHRIDGE, Calif.---CSUN Men's Basketball collected an 84-48 bounce back win over Mississippi Valley State on Friday evening at Premier America Credit Union Arena. Four Matadors scored in double figures led by Keonte Jones who had 17 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals. De'Sean Allen-Eikens added 14 points while Jasman Sangha had 13 and Dearon Tucker scored 12. CSUN led from nearly start to finish in posting its largest margin of victory over a Division I opponent since 2008.

HOW IT HAPPENED
CSUN would fall behind over the first three-plus minutes before De'Sean Allen-Eikens gave the Matadors a 9-7 edge at 16:01 mark of the first half. With the Matadors leading 12-7, CSUN picked up a three from Keonte Jones and two free throws from Dearon Tucker to stretch the lead to eight (17-9). In the first half, CSUN shot 47.8 percent and earned its way to the free throw line with regularity, making 16-of-20 attempts. A three from Dionte Bostick and two free throws each from Allen-Eikens and Jordan Brinson would quickly extend the lead to 28-14 near the seven-minute mark. CSUN led by as many as 18 points down the stretch of the first half but would settle for a 41-24 lead at the break.

.@iBostickDionte picking up where he left off.

He's now 10-of-23 (43.5%) from long range this season.#GoMatadors pic.twitter.com/EPtwN2BQeW
— CSUN Men's Basketball (@CSUNMBB) November 25, 2023

Out of intermission, Jared Barnett scored on a layup off a strong pass from Tucker to extend the lead to 19. The CSUN faithful would get a highlight moments later when Jones threw down an emphatic dunk as CSUN extended to a 51-30 advantage.

AGAIN. ??

Keonte Jones is a human highlight.#GoMatadors x @SportsCenter #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/rIYkfttoHa
— CSUN Men's Basketball (@CSUNMBB) November 25, 2023

The Matadors completed a 9-0 in the early minutes of the second half, turning a 15-point lead to 24. CSUN later extended its advantage to 31 points after Jones picked up a steal and scored in transition. Down the stretch, CSUN received contributions from up and down its roster as Mahmoud Fofana, Kyle Frelow and Bryan Ndjonga each picked up baskets. MVSU would get as close at 26 points in the second half, but CSUN soon went on a 15-5 spurt to build its biggest lead at 37 points. Brinson closed the scoring for the night with a late dunk.

NOTES OF THE GAME

CSUN improves to 4-2 on the season while Mississippi Valley State drops to 0-6.
The Matadors shot 44.8 percent for the night while making 3-of-16 from three (18.8 percent) and 29-of-37 from the free throw line (78.4 percent). In contrast, MVSU would finish with a 42.9 field goal percentage to go with shooting 7-of-18 from three (38.9 percent) and 11-of-18 at the free throw line (61.1 percent).
CSUN out-rebounded MVSU 43-21 and led 15-2 in offensive rebounds.
In points in the paint, CSUN led by a healthy 46-12 margin.
All 10 Matadors who played scored at least two points.
CSUN registered its biggest margin of victory over a Division I team since defeating Long Beach State 100-61 on Jan. 26, 2008.

ACCORDING TO COACH ANDY NEWMAN
"This is a great group of guys. They're fun to coach, they're real coachable and they let me really challenge them. They responded great to the challenge we put to them over the last two days. It was fun to see that response after the Le Moyne [game]."

"For them to buy in and then see it out here on the court, that's what makes coaching fun." - HC Andy Newman#GoMatadors pic.twitter.com/GUgs11bmyQ
— CSUN Men's Basketball (@CSUNMBB) November 25, 2023

UP NEXT
CSUN returns to the road for a Wednesday meeting with Pacific in Stockton. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. on ESPN+.

#GoMatadors