After Three Downers, Matadors Get Tuned Up

NORTHRIDGE — Never mind the level of the opponent. Or the predictable outcome.

After a lengthy trip that ended with three consecutive losses, a win is a win is a win.

Cal State Northridge gladly will take it.

Northridge, 0-3 last week in the Nike Festival at Hawaii, rebounded with a 96-51 rout over Vanguard, an NAIA school, before 1,249 on Wednesday night at the Matadome.

The Matadors (7-6), picked to win the Big Sky Conference, closed an arduous nonconference schedule with their first home game since Dec. 7 and first after an eight-day sojourn that led them from James Madison in Virginia to Hawaii.

The Matadors, lethargic and fatigued during much of their trip, played like a team happy to be home--which they were.

“It’s tough to go on a stretch like that and lose,” center Brian Heinle said. “I haven’t lost three games in a row since my sophomore year. It’s still on my mind right now. We wanted to come out and be as good as we could be.”

Heinle, a 6-foot-9 senior center, was the best of the bunch, recording his third consecutive double-double with 25 points and 12 rebounds.

Heinle scored eight of the Matadors’ first 11 points, including two three-point baskets, as Northridge took an 11-2 lead in the opening three minutes.

Vanguard (3-6) barely mounted a challenge, falling behind, 40-20, at halftime, and the game grew more lopsided in the second half.

The margin of victory was Northridge’s largest since a 117-65 victory over Cal State Sacramento in 1998.

“Feels good to be home,” guard Markus Carr said. “We needed this win to kind of piece things back together.”

The turn of events allowed Northridge Coach Bobby Braswell to spread playing time between players.

Heinle took a seat for good with 9:31 to play and Northridge leading, 70-33.

Twelve players got into the game, with 10 logging at least 10 minutes.

Forward Jeff Parris had 19 points and a career-high six assists in 28 minutes. Guard Markus Carr had six points and 13 assists.

Northridge made 14 three-pointers, with Heinle and Marco McCain connecting on three of four.

Carr, Carl Holmes and Denny Ogden each had two three-pointers.

“This is just what the doctor ordered,” Braswell said. “It’s what our guys needed to get their swagger back.

“I challenged them before the game to beat this team in every category that we could. For the most part, we did.”

Northridge, out-shot and out-rebounded in tournament games against Alabama-Birmingham and Hawaii, shot 57.8% (37 of 64) against Vanguard and out-rebounded the Lions, 44-33.

Vanguard shot only 31.5% (17 of 54) and was two of 13 from three-point range.

McCain had 13 points for Northridge.

“We played pretty well [considering] the team we played against,” Parris said.

“This is a definite confidence-builder and we needed it. I’m sure everyone was bummed to lose three in a row.

“That’s not something you can easily put behind you. Hopefully, this will give us back some of what we’ve lost. We will find out. Conference will be much tougher. Everyone knows what we are doing.”

Northridge opens Big Sky play with three consecutive road games, beginning next Thursday at Weber State and following with games at Cal State Sacramento and Northern Arizona.