Allen-Eikens Scores Career-High 32 in CSUN Road Win at Pacific

Wednesday, November 29

Stockton, Calif.

7:00 p.m.

California State University at Northridge

5-2,0-0Big West

Pacific

4-4,0-0WCC

CSUN

Pacific

Photo by: Chuck Marvel

Allen-Eikens Scores Career-High 32 in CSUN Road Win at Pacific

11/29/2023 9:49:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

STOCKTON, Calif.---De'Sean Allen-Eikens scored a career-high 32 points as CSUN won its third consecutive road game with an 80-69 triumph at Pacific on Wednesday at Alex G. Spanos Center. Jordan Brinson added 12 points and seven rebounds in his first start while Dionte Bostick had 12 and Keonte Jones finished with 11. The Matadors posted just their second-ever win at Pacific and registered their third-straight true road non-conference win for the first time since 1983-84.

HOW IT HAPPENED
CSUN would get eight early points from De'Sean Allen-Eikens to stake to a 10-4 lead at the outset. Moments later, Keonte Jones scored in the paint for a 15-10 lead, but the Tigers answered with a 6-1 run to even the game. CSUN led for nearly the entire first period before Pacific scored five unanswered to jump in front 22-21 with 5:33 left in the first half. Both teams would earn their way to the free throw line with regularity in the first half with Pacific making 11-of-19 while CSUN made 7-of-12 attempts in the period. Allen-Eikens scored on a fastbreak to pull CSUN to within 30-29, however, the Tigers scored the next three at the foul line. After receiving late threes from Jordan Brinson and Dionte Bostick, Pacific took a 36-35 lead at the break on a three from Moe Odum.

Vintage @iBostickDionte.

He buries his second triple of the game to put CSUN ahead.#GoMatadors pic.twitter.com/0AwWv5dZmw
— CSUN Men's Basketball (@CSUNMBB) November 30, 2023

Out of intermission, the Matadors picked up back-to-back baskets from Allen-Eikens and Dearon Tucker to reclaim the lead. After a three from Burke Smith, CSUN scored the next seven points to build a 46-39 edge. A Pacific free throw ended the run, but the Matadors scored the next five with Allen-Eikens giving CSUN a 51-40 edge. The Tigers though continued to battle back as eight-straight points quickly cut the advantage to three. Mahmoud Fofana would end that string with a dunk then Brinson followed with a three on the next possession.

.@Mahmoudfofana_ ends a Pacific run with authority.

Back up by 5.#GoMatadors pic.twitter.com/kIwWBsfQin
— CSUN Men's Basketball (@CSUNMBB) November 30, 2023

CSUN again stretched its lead to double-digits (67-57) when Jasman Sangha scored off an offensive rebound with 7:05 left to play. Pacific responded with back-to-back baskets, but Allen-Eikens scored 10-straight CSUN points in the closing minutes to help seal the game. Allen-Eikens' layup would give CSUN its biggest lead of 14 points with under two minutes.

30 BALL ??@DeseanEikens extends his career high to put CSUN ahead by 12.#GoMatadors pic.twitter.com/mtqr6N91h2
— CSUN Men's Basketball (@CSUNMBB) November 30, 2023

NOTES OF THE GAME

CSUN improves to 5-2 on the season while Pacific falls to 4-4.
CSUN notched its first win at Pacific since 2011.
CSUN shot 48.1 percent including shooting 58.3 percent in the second half. The Matadors made 7-of-19 from three (36.8 percent) and 21-of-29 at the free throw line (72.4 percent). In contrast, Pacific finished shooting 37.5 percent while making 8-of-25 from three (32.0 percent) and 19-of-37 from the free throw line (51.4 percent).
The Matadors out-rebounded the Tigers 38-22
A total of 51 fouls were issued with CSUN whistled for 30 of them.
De'Sean Allen-Eikens shot 11-of-19 from the field including 3-of-6 from three to go with six rebounds.
Jordan Brinson had a team-high seven rebounds and four assists.

ACCORDING TO COACH ANDY NEWMAN
"This is a tough spot [to win a game]. Always has been and always will be. And [we played] a good team. They're coached very well and they're doing all the right stuff. It was just good to see our guys really respond and play together in the second half. Offensively, we were so much better and cohesive in that second half. As we keep building and going through this and keep getting better and better, good things are going to happen for us, and I'm excited."

UP NEXT
CSUN stays on the road for a Saturday contest with Northern Colorado. Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m. PT on ESPN+. Ghizal Hasan will call the action in an audio broadcast at GoMatadors.com/Radio.

#GoMatadors