Northridge Fouls Out in New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Cal State Northridge Coach Pete Cassidy looked at the statistics and four numbers glared back:

Six and 11. Thirty-six and 47.

The small numbers were Northridge’s shooting from the free-throw line. The larger ones belonged to New Mexico, which had just defeated Northridge, 86-73, in the first round of the Lobo Invitational before a near-capacity crowd of 15,736 at the Pit.

“I don’t have a good defense for free throws,” Cassidy said. “I guess we played Ma Bell defense. We reached out and touched someone.”

Northridge (2-6) led by as many as 11 points in the first half. The Matadors made 11 three-point baskets to New Mexico’s two, but simply couldn’t overcome the Lobos’ scoring at the free-throw line.

Brian Hayden led New Mexico (5-4) with a career-high 26 points, making 14 of 17 free throws. Marlow White added 15 points.

Ruben Oronoz scored a career-high 18 points for Northridge, which has lost three games in a row. Ryan Martin had 13 points.