In a shocking turn of events, Cal State Northridge pulled off a stunning 16-point upset over UC Davis, taking down the Aggies 94-78 at the Premier America Credit Union Arena. This monumental victory was fueled by the impressive performance of Mahmoud Fofana, who notched 22 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Matadors to their 12th win of the season.
The game got off to a high-scoring start, with UC Davis taking a slim 48-44 lead into halftime. However, Cal State Northridge came out firing in the second half, outscoring the Aggies 50-30 to seal the deal. Joshua O'Garro and Larry Hughes II also made significant contributions, with O'Garro tallying 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Hughes II added 17 points and 5 rebounds.
On the other side, Connor Sevilla was the top performer for UC Davis, scoring 15 points in a losing effort. Marcus Wilson and Nils Cooper also chipped in with 13 and 12 points, respectively, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Matadors' second-half surge. Despite being ranked higher than Cal State Northridge, UC Davis struggled to contain the Matadors' offense, which shot efficiently throughout the game.
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Notably, CHD Scout's pre-game prediction had Cal State Northridge winning by a slim 0.5-point margin, but the actual outcome far exceeded expectations. The Matadors' dominant performance was a reflection of their ability to rise to the occasion and take down a tougher opponent.
This upset victory has real consequences for both teams' tournament chances. For Cal State Northridge, the win marks a crucial Quadrant 4 victory, which may not carry significant weight but still demonstrates the team's capability to compete against stronger opponents. On the other hand, UC Davis suffered a Quadrant 3 loss, which may dent their resume but doesn't entirely diminish their postseason hopes.
As the season progresses, Cal State Northridge want to build on this momentum, while UC Davis will aim to bounce back from the disappointing loss. The Matadors' impressive performance serves as a reminder that they can't be underestimated, and their ability to pull off upsets like this one makes them a formidable opponent in their conference. With this win, Cal State Northridge improves to 12-10, while UC Davis drops to 12-9. The Matadors' tournament chances may still be a long shot, but this victory undoubtedly strengthens their resume and keeps them in the conversation.