Injuries Bite Into Northridge Practice

The injury bug has bitten the Cal State Northridge men’s basketball team.

Forward Jeff Parris and guard John Burrell, seniors and among the leading scorers in the Big Sky Conference, missed practice this week but are listed as probable for Saturday night’s game against Northern Arizona at Northridge.

Parris, who averages 14.7 points, did not practice at all because of recurring back pain that sidelined him two weeks ago against Cal State Sacramento.

“It stiffens up every now and then,” Parris said. “I do get rusty. I got rusty last week before the Idaho State game because I didn’t practice. I’m sure it’s going to affect my game. How much, I don’t know.”

Burrell, who averages 15.7 points and scored a career-high 30 on Saturday against Idaho State, suffered a pulled hamstring during practice Tuesday.

Guard Markus Carr limped to the sideline during a scrimmage Thursday because of a sprained right ankle. Carr said said the injury won’t prevent him from playing.

*

The Northridge softball team, picked to finish third in the Big West Conference, is scheduled for five games this weekend in the San Diego State tournament.

The Matadors (2-2) play Ohio State and Northwestern today, Iowa State and Fresno State on Saturday and Stanford on Sunday.

Northridge split four games in the San Jose State tournament, losing twice to UCLA and defeating San Jose State twice. The Matadors play their home opener Wednesday against Loyola Marymount.

Northridge opens Big West play March 24 with a three-game weekend series against Utah State.