Thursday, December 7
Northridge, Calif.
7:00 p.m.
California State University at Northridge
6-3,0-0Big West
92
vs
54
Bethesda
0-5
1
2
F
Bethesda (CA)
27
27
54
CSUN
40
52
92
CSUN Knocks Off Bethesda Behind Balanced Attack
12/7/2023 9:21:00 PM | Men's Basketball
NORTHRIDGE, Calif.---CSUN Men's Basketball had four score in double figures in a 92-54 victory over Bethesda on Thursday night at Premier America Credit Union Arena. Keonte Jones scored a season-high 22 points to go with nine rebounds while Dionte Bostick added 16 points, Jared Barnett posted a career-high 15 points and Dearon Tucker recorded a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds.
HOW IT HAPPENED
CSUN scored the first four points to begin the game, but the Matadors would have a tough time separating themselves from Bethesda for most of the first half. The Lion Angels scored eight-straight points to take an 8-4 lead. The teams traded six leads in the first half while the score was tied four times. Bethesda led by as many as 21-16 with 8:34 left in the first half but CSUN would take control to close the period. After Dionte Bostick drilled a three, Keonte Jones scored six consecutive points. CSUN closed a 14-0 run on a Jared Barnett free throw to lead 30-21. Barnett later hit a three for a 33-23 lead, and CSUN would end the half with a Bostick jumper for a 40-27 advantage.
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Out of intermission, Bostick sank a three, CSUN picked up a defensive stop and Jones scored in a transition to quickly push the lead to 18. Jones extended CSUN's advantage past 20 points on a dunk following a steal four minutes into the second half. Moments later, Jones facilitated a Jared Barnett three that made it a 56-31 game. CSUN's lead extended further to 82-51 on a Jones layup, this time set up by Barnett.
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In the final minute, CSUN built its biggest lead of the night at 38 points when Barnett knocked down a free throw. Jasman Sangha punctuated the victory with his first three of the season with 24 seconds on the clock.
NOTES OF THE GAME
ACCORDING TO COACH ANDY NEWMAN
"These games are always tough for me. You come in and you know your opponent is 0-9, it's hard to get up and get yourself going. Once things don't go your way early then you start putting pressure on yourself. You know you should be playing better so it was good to see our guys work through that."
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UP NEXT
CSUN stays at home for Monday night game with Utah Tech at 7 p.m. Ghizal Hasan and Alan Zinsmeister have the call on ESPN+ and GoMatadors.com/Radio.
#GoMatadors
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HOW IT HAPPENED
CSUN scored the first four points to begin the game, but the Matadors would have a tough time separating themselves from Bethesda for most of the first half. The Lion Angels scored eight-straight points to take an 8-4 lead. The teams traded six leads in the first half while the score was tied four times. Bethesda led by as many as 21-16 with 8:34 left in the first half but CSUN would take control to close the period. After Dionte Bostick drilled a three, Keonte Jones scored six consecutive points. CSUN closed a 14-0 run on a Jared Barnett free throw to lead 30-21. Barnett later hit a three for a 33-23 lead, and CSUN would end the half with a Bostick jumper for a 40-27 advantage.
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BANG. Barnett. ??
— CSUN Men's Basketball (@CSUNMBB) December 8, 2023
CSUN by 10 after a 17-2 run. #GoMatadors pic.twitter.com/2QpjLy0fzZ
Out of intermission, Bostick sank a three, CSUN picked up a defensive stop and Jones scored in a transition to quickly push the lead to 18. Jones extended CSUN's advantage past 20 points on a dunk following a steal four minutes into the second half. Moments later, Jones facilitated a Jared Barnett three that made it a 56-31 game. CSUN's lead extended further to 82-51 on a Jones layup, this time set up by Barnett.
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Dearon Tucker grabs a career high 11th rebound.
— CSUN Men's Basketball (@CSUNMBB) December 8, 2023
Keonte Jones extends his career high to 22 points on the other end.
CSUN leads Bethesda 82-51 with less than four to go.#GoMatadors pic.twitter.com/ZCYNp1nqHb
In the final minute, CSUN built its biggest lead of the night at 38 points when Barnett knocked down a free throw. Jasman Sangha punctuated the victory with his first three of the season with 24 seconds on the clock.
NOTES OF THE GAME
- CSUN improves to 6-3 on the season while Bethesda falls to 0-10.
- The Matadors shot 54.2 percent for the night while they made 6-of-15 from 3-point range (40.0 percent) and 8-of-20 at the free throw line (40.0 percent). The Lion Angels were held to 28.8 percent shooting to go with 4-of-28 shooting from three (14.3 percent) and 8-of-10 attempts at the free throw line (80.0 percent).
- CSUN would dominate the rebounding department at 59-31. The Matadors also led by a 66-30 margin in points in the paint.
- Dearon Tucker posted a personal-high 11 rebounds along with his first double-double of his career.
- Jordan Brinson finished with eight points, eight assists and six rebounds.
- Jared Barnett made 7-of-13 from the field en route to his career-high 15-point performance.
- CSUN played without leading scorer De'Sean Allen-Eikens in the win.
ACCORDING TO COACH ANDY NEWMAN
"These games are always tough for me. You come in and you know your opponent is 0-9, it's hard to get up and get yourself going. Once things don't go your way early then you start putting pressure on yourself. You know you should be playing better so it was good to see our guys work through that."
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Play through tough moments.
— CSUN Men's Basketball (@CSUNMBB) December 8, 2023
Hear from HC Andy Newman following CSUN's 38-point victory over Bethesda!#GoMatadors pic.twitter.com/G8UqoChMyj
UP NEXT
CSUN stays at home for Monday night game with Utah Tech at 7 p.m. Ghizal Hasan and Alan Zinsmeister have the call on ESPN+ and GoMatadors.com/Radio.
#GoMatadors
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Team Stats
BET
CSUN
FG%
.288
.542
3FG%
.143
.400
FT%
.800
.400
RB
31
59
TO
17
20
STL
8
10
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
22
FGM
10
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
16
FGM
7
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
15
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
3
Pts
12
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
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