Wednesday, March 6
Manoa, HI
9 p.m.
California State University at Northridge
18-14,9-11Big West
70
at
72
Hawai'i
18-13,10-9Big West
1
2
F
CSUN
25
45
70
Hawaii
26
46
72
Photo by: Chuck Marvel
CSUN's Late Rally Falls Just Short at Hawai'i in Regular Season Finale
3/6/2024 11:19:00 PM | Men's Basketball
HONOLULU---De'Sean Allen-Eikens scored a career-high 34 points, but CSUN's comeback bid fell just short in a 72-70 loss to Hawai'i on Saturday at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. Dionte Bostick chipped in with 13 points. The short-handed Matadors cut a 13-point deficit to one in the second half, however it would not be enough in the regular season finale.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The teams battled in a low-scoring first half with the Matadors holding a slight edge at 34 percent shooting compared to the Rainbow Warriors' 32 percent. CSUN missed its first six shots attempts, but managed to stay within striking distance, only trailing 6-0 through four-plus minutes. Dionte Bostick broke the scoring drought, and soon CSUN capped a 6-0 run to even the game up. Hawai'i opened up a 15-10 lead on a Juan Munoz three before Allen-Eikens scored eight consecutive points to put the Matadors on top 18-15. The Bows though had a response as nine-straight Hawai'i points put the Matadors back into a six-point hole at 24-18. CSUN though held Hawai'i scoreless over the final three-plus minutes of the first half while scoring four in a row with Gianni Hunt's last second jumper bringing the Matadors to within 26-25.
The Matadors grabbed the lead on a 6-0 run early in the second half with Kyle Frelow's basket putting CSUN on top 31-29. Allen-Eikens made a tough shot in the lane for a CSUN two-point lead with 16:22 to play, but the Rainbow Warriors countered with an 8-0 run to lead 39-33. CSUN suffered through a three-minute scoring drought, while Hawai'i worked its way to the free throw line with regularity to slowly extend the lead to double digits. After falling behind by 11, CSUN received a field goal from Frelow, but the Bows scored the next four to take their biggest lead at 52-39.
CSUN trailed by that same 13-point margin with 5:29 remaining before putting forth one last run. Hunt began the comeback with a jumper while Allen-Eikens scored back-to-back field goals to cut the deficit to 63-55. CSUN would go on a 6-0 run, capped by a Jasman Sangha basket to pull to within four. The Matadors clawed to within one in the final minute of play with Sangha bringing CSUN to within 68-67. The Bows eventually stretched their lead to four on three made free throws, but Allen-Eikens nailed a three to pull CSUN to within 71-70. After Bernardo da Silva split two free throws, CSUN had one last look to tie, however, Bostick was stripped of the ball and Hawai'i held on in the closing moments.Â
NOTES OF THE GAME
ACCORDING TO COACH ANDY NEWMAN
"Great fight. I'm really proud of them, but we've just got to play smarter."
UP NEXT
CSUN looks to compete at the 2024 Big West Basketball Championships set to begin Wednesday, March 13 in Henderson, Nev. Seeding for the tournament will be determined at the end of the regular season on Saturday.
#GoMatadors
Â
HOW IT HAPPENED
The teams battled in a low-scoring first half with the Matadors holding a slight edge at 34 percent shooting compared to the Rainbow Warriors' 32 percent. CSUN missed its first six shots attempts, but managed to stay within striking distance, only trailing 6-0 through four-plus minutes. Dionte Bostick broke the scoring drought, and soon CSUN capped a 6-0 run to even the game up. Hawai'i opened up a 15-10 lead on a Juan Munoz three before Allen-Eikens scored eight consecutive points to put the Matadors on top 18-15. The Bows though had a response as nine-straight Hawai'i points put the Matadors back into a six-point hole at 24-18. CSUN though held Hawai'i scoreless over the final three-plus minutes of the first half while scoring four in a row with Gianni Hunt's last second jumper bringing the Matadors to within 26-25.
The Matadors grabbed the lead on a 6-0 run early in the second half with Kyle Frelow's basket putting CSUN on top 31-29. Allen-Eikens made a tough shot in the lane for a CSUN two-point lead with 16:22 to play, but the Rainbow Warriors countered with an 8-0 run to lead 39-33. CSUN suffered through a three-minute scoring drought, while Hawai'i worked its way to the free throw line with regularity to slowly extend the lead to double digits. After falling behind by 11, CSUN received a field goal from Frelow, but the Bows scored the next four to take their biggest lead at 52-39.
CSUN trailed by that same 13-point margin with 5:29 remaining before putting forth one last run. Hunt began the comeback with a jumper while Allen-Eikens scored back-to-back field goals to cut the deficit to 63-55. CSUN would go on a 6-0 run, capped by a Jasman Sangha basket to pull to within four. The Matadors clawed to within one in the final minute of play with Sangha bringing CSUN to within 68-67. The Bows eventually stretched their lead to four on three made free throws, but Allen-Eikens nailed a three to pull CSUN to within 71-70. After Bernardo da Silva split two free throws, CSUN had one last look to tie, however, Bostick was stripped of the ball and Hawai'i held on in the closing moments.Â
NOTES OF THE GAME
- CSUN finishes the regular season at 18-14 and 9-11 in conference while Hawai'i improves to 18-13 overall and 10-9 in Big West play.
- The Matadors shot 45.6 percent for the game after shooting above 53 percent in the second half. Hawai'i finished shooting at 40.7 percent.
- The Rainbow Warriors feasted on free throw attempts, making 16-of-26 (61.5 percent) while the Matadors took just five attempts, hitting four (80.0 percent).
- Hawai'i won the rebounding battle 41-36.
- Allen-Eikens just missed a double double, finishing with nine rebounds to go with his 34 points.
- Hunt added nine points and eight rebounds while Sangha had eight points.
- Frelow chipped in with six points in a season-high 16 minutes.
ACCORDING TO COACH ANDY NEWMAN
"Great fight. I'm really proud of them, but we've just got to play smarter."
UP NEXT
CSUN looks to compete at the 2024 Big West Basketball Championships set to begin Wednesday, March 13 in Henderson, Nev. Seeding for the tournament will be determined at the end of the regular season on Saturday.
#GoMatadors
Â
Team Stats
CSUN
Hawaii
FG%
.456
.407
3FG%
.333
.320
FT%
.800
.615
RB
36
41
TO
15
17
STL
6
4
Game Leaders
Pts
34
FGM
14
3FGM
3
FTM
3
Pts
13
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Pts
9
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Pts
8
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
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