Short-Handed Matadors Rally Past Cal Poly, 95-90

Thursday, January 8

Northridge, Calif.

7:00 p.m.

California State University at Northridge

10-7,3-2Big West

Cal Poly

6-11,2-3Big West

Cal Poly

CSUN

Photo by: Connor Clark

Short-Handed Matadors Rally Past Cal Poly, 95-90

1/8/2026 9:48:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

NORTHRIDGE, Calif.---Josiah Davis tied CSUN's school record for assists in a game in helping lead a short-handed Matador team to a 95-90 come-from-behind victory over Cal Poly on Thursday at Premier America Credit Union Arena. In 40 minutes of action, Davis finished with a team-high 23 points to go with 15 assists and eight rebounds. Joshua O'Garro totaled 20 points and 11 rebounds while James Evans Jr. chipped in with a season-high 17 points off the bench and Mahmoud Fofana had 16 points. CSUN trailed by as many as 14 points in the second half before outscoring the Mustangs 41-22 to end the game.

CUN stayed unbeaten at home to improve to 8-0 at Premier America Credit Union Arena this season while the win also stretched the Matadors' home win streak to 10 straight games, tying a Division I record.

HOW IT HAPPENED
CSUN spotted Cal Poly the game's first seven points while the Matadors looked up at a 15-6 deficit nearly eight minutes into the game. CSUN though chipped away at the deficit, posting a 9-2 run to close to within 17-15 on a Grady Lewis layup. Davis later evened the game up at 20-20 on a floating jumper, but Cal Poly responded with the next four points. Undeterred, CSUN scored the next six with O'Garro giving the Matadors their first lead at 26-24 with 8:19 to go in the first half. Moments later, Evans knocked down a three, one of his five in the game, to kick off a 7-0 run that gave CSUN a 33-26 edge. The high-powered Mustang offense though answered with back-to-back threes before reclaiming the lead on free throws from Hamad Mousa. Scoring 20 points in the first half, Mousa led Cal Poly to a 44-41 lead at the break.

Grady Lewis has four early points for CSUN.#GoMatadors pic.twitter.com/KZM82xkhNO
— CSUN Men's Basketball (@CSUNMBB) January 9, 2026

The Matadors remained close in the early minutes of the second half, trailing by just a 50-46 margin, however, the Mustangs went to work offensively, pushing the lead to 10 after six straight points. Cal Poly eventually stretched the lead to the biggest of the night at 68-54 following a 7-1 run with 12:49 to play. However, Davis would lead the Matador charge down the stretch. Five straight points from Davis followed by a three from Evans quickly cut the gap to 68-62. CSUN pulled to within 73-72 on another big three from Evans before finally drawing even on a Davis fastbreak layup for a 78-78 score. Mousa quickly gave the Mustangs the lead back on a three, but O'Garro answered for CSUN on the next possession from long range. The Matadors regained the lead at 85-83 on a Fofana layup, set up by Davis, while O'Garro made it an 87-83 game on a shot inside. Cal Poly would close to within one at 89-88, but Evans nailed yet another three with 1:15 to go for a 92-88 edge. CSUN picked up three straight defensive stops, coupled with three clutch free throws from Davis over the final minute-plus of action to seal the win.

JAMES. EVANS. JR.

His fifth three-pointer of the game gives CSUN the 92-88 lead with 1:15 left.#GoMatadors x @_nolimitjames pic.twitter.com/3mebJJS0Jo
— CSUN Men's Basketball (@CSUNMBB) January 9, 2026

NOTES OF THE GAME

CSUN improved to 10-7 overall and 3-2 in Big West play while Cal Poly slipped to 6-11 overall and 2-3 in conference.
CSUN played without leading scorer Larry Hughes II along with senior guard Jordan Brinson.
Davis tied the CSUN record for assists in a game, first established by Keith Gibbs on Nov. 23, 1990. Markus Carr also had two 15-assist performances during the 2000-01 season.
Lewis chipped in with eight points on 4-of-6 shooting.
Evans made 5-of-6 from 3-point range to go with five rebounds and two steals.
The Matadors shot 52.2 percent while making 9-of-20 threes (45.0 percent) and 16-of-27 free throws (59.3 percent). The Mustangs finished at 41.4 percent shooting to go with 16-of-44 makes from three (36.4 percent) and 16-of-21 free throws (76.2 percent).
CSUN out-rebounded Cal Poly 49-32 while leading 52-26 in points in the paint.
The Matadors also posted a 28-15 edge in bench points.
For Cal Poly, Mousa had a game-high 34 points.

ACCORDING TO COACH ANDY NEWMAN
"What a great second half. I'm really proud of the defensive effort our guys put forth. It was kind of up and down, but these guys are a competitive group and they like to win. They showed that tonight when it really mattered."

UP NEXT
CSUN hits the road to take on Cal State Fullerton on Saturday at 4 p.m. on ESPN+. Ghizal Hasan and Alan Zinsmeister have the call in an audio broadcast at GoMatadors.com/Radio.

#GoMatadors