In a closely contested matchup, Cal State Northridge emerged victorious over Long Beach State, prevailing 78-76. The margin of victory was a mere two points, underscoring the intensity of the competition. Despite being ranked 262nd nationally, Long Beach State held its own against the 162nd-ranked Matadors in the first half, outscoring them 38-46. However, Cal State Northridge's strong opening half ultimately set the tone for the contest.
The second half saw a reversal of fortunes, with Cal State Northridge narrowly edging Long Beach State 32-38. In the end, the Matadors' slight advantage proved decisive, as they secured the win by two points. The outcome reflects the fine line between victory and defeat in college basketball, where a single possession can often be the difference-maker.
Josiah Davis's performance was a pivotal factor in Cal State Northridge's narrow victory. He notched 21 points, distributing the ball effectively with 9 assists, while also contributing 3 rebounds. Davis's efficiency from the field, converting 8 of 15 field goal attempts, and from the free throw line, making 5 of 7 attempts, was a significant contributor to the Matadors' scoring output.
Joshua O'Garro and Grady Lewis also made notable contributions. O'Garro scored 13 points and secured 7 rebounds, showcasing his versatility on both ends of the court. Lewis, meanwhile, provided a reliable scoring presence, converting 5 of 6 field goal attempts and 2 of 3 free throw attempts to tally 12 points.
Shaquil Bender led the way for Long Beach State, scoring 27 points on an efficient 55% from the field and 70% from three-point range. His 7 three-pointers made were a crucial aspect of the team's offense, but ultimately, his scoring wasn't enough to secure a win. Bender also chipped in with 3 rebounds and 2 assists, but his overall performance was good, if not quite good enough to propel Long Beach State to victory.
Gavin Sykes struggled to find his rhythm, shooting just 21% from the field and 20% from three-point range. Despite contributing 13 points, Sykes' poor shooting percentages were a hindrance to the team's offense. His 3 assists and 1 block were bright spots, but his overall performance was marred by his inability to get shots to fall.
The remaining players from both teams largely adhered to their established season averages, with no notable outliers.
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CORRECTPredicted
Final
While the pre-game prediction held true, the margin of victory was narrower than anticipated, with Cal State Northridge ultimately prevailing by 2 points. Upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that Long Beach State's exceptional shooting performance played a significant role in the outcome. Their elevated effective field goal percentage (eFG%) and three-point shooting percentage (3PT%) were particularly noteworthy, as they managed to maintain a high level of efficiency throughout the game.
A more critical factor, however, was Long Beach State's ability to dominate the paint, with a significant increase in their offensive rebounding rate (OREB rate) that allowed them to secure crucial second-chance opportunities. Conversely, Cal State Northridge's OREB rate was lower than expected, which may have contributed to their narrower margin of victory. This discrepancy in rebounding performance ultimately gave Long Beach State the edge they needed to stay within striking distance, despite their opponents' superior overall shooting.
For Cal State Northridge, this crucial Quad 4 win propels them further into the NCAA Tournament conversation, as their NET ranking inches closer to a potential at-large bid. With a Quad 1 loss and a 1-4 mark against Quad 2 opponents, their resume is still somewhat thin, but this victory adds a vital notch to their belt. A possible 10-win season could earn them a 12 or 13 seed, but they'll need to continue to rack up quality wins to avoid a First Four appearance. Conversely, a 10-win season for Long Beach State, now 8-20 with a NET ranking of #262, will likely result in a First Four bid at best, with their Quad 1 losses and 0-3 mark against Quad 2 opponents making it difficult to envision a higher seed than 16.