Feb. 10, 2011
Fullerton, Calif. -
Josh Greene scored 19 points including a good-ahead 3-point basket with 24 seconds remaining Thursday night to lead Cal State Northridge to a come-from-behind 70-68 Big West Conference victory at Cal State Fullerton.
The Matadors (10-14, 7-4) swept the season series with the Titans (9-16, 5-7) by making their last six 3-pointers -- one on a bank - after making only 4 of their first 19 treys. Andre Hardy led the Titans with 19 points and 12 rebounds but missed a putback layup just before the buzzer. Orlando Brown came off the bench for a season-high 16 points and Jer'Vaughn Johnson added 16 more.
Lenny Daniel had a double-double for the Matadors with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Greene's sixth trey of the game gave the Matadors a 69-68 lead. Perry Webster missed for Fullerton and Michael Lizarraga made a CSUN free throw with 10.9 seconds left. Isiah Umipig missed a jumper in the lane that Hardy rebounded but couldn't convert.
Fullerton led by 10 points at the half and by 14 at 50-36 with 13:20 to play. Northridge caught up for the first time at 61-61 on a trey by Aqeel Quinn with 2:48 to play. Fullerton took the lead three times only to have Northridge tie it twice and then go ahead on Greene's high arching shot.
Northridge shot only 33 percent from the floor (9-for-27) and the foul line (3-for-9) in the first half but shot 54 percent from the floor and 75 percent at the line in the second half. Fullerton made 8 of 9 free throws in the first half but only 12 of 20 in the second half including four in a row as the Matadors drew closer.
"It was a real shame that we played so hard and at times so good, but not good enough to win," said Fullerton Coach Bob Burton. "We had a lead and enough points to win the game. But just like the other night (come-from-ahead 70-69 loss to UC Riverside) we found a way to let it get away from us. If we take care of the ball and get decent shots and convert at the line... We gotta step up and win the game. But that's what 9-16 teams do.
"It's frustrating that we let two opportunities at home get away from us. We're going to have a touch time qualifying for the post-season tournament. It only gets tougher with road games at Santa Barbara, Pacific and Davis and one home game against Cal Poly, which will be like this one.
"Orlando Brown was absolutely terrific. We deserved to win so he could enjoy his game. He has really come alive. But we can't get everyone playing well."
Normal double-digit scorers Devon Peltier (4) and Orane Chin (0) combined for only 4 points on 1-for-3 shooting.
Fullerton is idle Saturday while Northridge hosts first-place Long Beach State.