Bulldogs have chance late, but few answers for 5-8 guard in loss at Northridge
Cal State Northridge didn’t have a win in its first seven games, five on the road and another on a neutral floor.
But it did have Terrell Gomez and the 5-foot-8 guard pulled his team past Fresno State 73-72 on Saturday afternoon in Northrdige, scoring a game-high 31 points including two foul shots with 4.6 seconds that put the Matadors ahead.
Gomez hit 9 of 20 shots, 7 of 14 at the 3-point line and was a perfect 6 of 6 at the foul line, exposing at times the Bulldogs’ youth.
“We had opportunities a couple of times,” coach Justin Hutson said. “It was very clear to see that we have some talent. We did a lot of good things. We got out, got a six-, eight-point lead, and tonight it wasn’t turnovers like we normally have, tonight it was defensive breakdowns.
“We didn’t call switch, didn’t rebound the ball, didn’t know who we had. That’s a young team.”
Fresno State (2-4) did get a double-double from senior Nate Grimes, 20 points and 11 rebounds. But the Bulldogs’ freshmen continue to log heavy minutes – Orlando Robinson had 16 points and seven rebounds in 26 minutes, Jarred Hyder had seven points and four assists in 35 minutes, freshman Anthony Holland played 21 minutes and freshman Niven Hart 16.
“That’s who should be playing,” Hutson said. “We have to get New (Wiiliams) back. It will help to get Jordan Campbell eligible, But I Iove my guys. They’re playing well. They’re learning. Both times on the road here with these tough games we’ve had a chance to win.”
The Bulldogs were down 71-67 at Northridge with 3:20 to play, cut it to two on a basket by Grimes and came up with a stop.
Hyder tied the score at 71 with 1:05 to go, and the Bulldogs had a chance to go up two with 22 seconds remaining and Robinson at the line.
He hit one of two giving the Matadors, and Gomez, an opening.
The Bulldogs had the junior guard surrounded, but he was able to draw a foul to get to the line where he is 25 of 27 this season, 92.6%.
“We were supposed to do that all night long,” Hutson said. “Our game plan was to force him to his weak hand, when he put it on the dribble go help.
“As young guys, every timeout we talk about being connected, being connected, being connected, and there were times when we did it. We scored. That’s when you start getting a six-, eight-point lead. Then somebody gets a little tired, somebody misses as hot and they forget about teamwork and how to help each other, especially on a young man like him.”