CS Northridge Stops Montana State, 81-77

For the first time since moving to the NCAA Division I level, Cal State Northridge has won three consecutive games.

And unlike the last two victories, against Division II foes, the Matadors beat a Montana State that came in with a 10-4 record and 2-1 mark in the Big Sky Conference.

The Bobcats threatened late, but Northridge pulled together for a 81-77 victory Tuesday night before 1,025 at Matador Gymnasium.

Northridge (4-12) has won four of its last six games and four consecutive games at home. Last season, its first in the Division I ranks, the 8-20 Matadors never won more than two in a row.

“This is really big,” Northridge forward Keith Gibbs said. “The biggest one of the year.”

Gibbs, a 43% shooter, made nine of 13 shots for a team-high 21 points. Reserve guard James Morris scored a season-high 16 points in 14 minutes and point guard Andre Chevalier had 15 points, seven assists and three steals.

Northridge led, 70-57, with 5:22 to play, but a combination of turnovers and missed free throws allowed the Bobcats to pull within 77-74 with 38 seconds left. Morris then responded by sinking of one of two free throws with 36 seconds remaining.

Montana State did not score until Willard Dean sank a three-pointer with eight seconds left.