Matadors’ Sun Sets in Defeat

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — As surely as day follows night, a Cal State Northridge loss follows a victory, and falling to Northern Arizona, 86-79, Friday night in a Big Sky tournament semifinal turned out the lights on the Matadors’ inconsistent season.

For the past two months, Northridge (12-16) has gone up and down. Win one, lose one. For every positive action--such as the Matadors’ 104-98 victory over Eastern Washington on Thursday--there is an equal and opposite reaction.

This loss before 3,085 at the Walkup Skydome will allow ample time for Northridge Coach Bobby Braswell to reflect on a team that never gathered enough momentum to shake mediocrity.

The Lumberjacks (20-7) are the nation’s best three-point shooting team, but their three-footers beat Northridge.

Dan McClintock, a 7-foot, 255-pound sophomore reserve who averages 9.3 points, scored a total of 10 points in Northern Arizona’s two close regular-season victories over Northridge. But he dominated inside, scoring 18 points on seven-of-eight shooting on Friday night.

His teammates also found holes in the Matador defense, and Northern Arizona finished with 16 layups or dunks. The Lumberjacks also made seven three-pointers.

“I felt that if I got touches, I could score,” McClintock said. “Part of the game plan was to get the ball inside.”

Losing composure--a Northridge problem that flared up periodically all season--short-circuited any chance of mounting a late comeback. The Matadors pulled to within 69-60 with five minutes to play, but on Northern Arizona’s next possession forward Jeff Parris picked up his fifth foul and Greg Minor responded by gesturing to a Northern Arizona cheerleader and was assessed a technical foul.

The next time Northridge pulled to within nine, with 2:42 to play, Mike O’Quinn was hit with a technical, his fifth foul. O’Quinn, who set a tournament record with 39 points Thursday, scored 22.

Montana State 69, Weber State 64--Damon Ollie, scoreless in the first half, had a tip-in and two free throws during a surge that carried the Bobcats (19-10) to a final matchup against Northern Arizona.

Damien Baskerville had 16 of his 21 points in the second half for Weber (14-13).