Free throws are shot 15 feet away from the basket. For some reason Kenny Daniels, just like ex-NBA player Nick Van Exel, shoots it from 16. And quietly, the Matadors have made a run to put a little distance in the score. CSUN leads 37-29 with 17:43 left in the game. Mark Hill shot an airball that was caught by Tremaine Townsend and laid in. That gives Townsend six points and six rebounds.
The last possession of the half was a carbon copy of how the game’s gone. UC Riverside had the ball, the Matador defense swarmed them, provoking a battle for a ball that ended up loose in the CSUN paint and that no one was able to pick up before the half-ending buzzer sounded. CSUN’s leading 29-26. Josh Jenkins leads all scorers with 10 points. UC Riverside’s shooting 50 percent from the floor, but has 10 turnovers. CSUN’s got nine.
Exciting times at the Matadome as CSUN’s tied the game at 24-all with 3:50 to go in the first half. More exciting for the home fans is the fact that Josh Jenkins seems to be on. He’s drilled two 3-pointers and has 10 points. His two free throws were the tying points. Long way to go.
“I know calling double fouls is easy, but you got to call the foul on the first guy.” Signed with love on Valentine’s Day: Bobby Braswell, to the refs.
UC Riverside is shooting lights out and CSUN’s turning the ball over like it’s 2008 (before conference season started). Still it’s only a three-point game, 19-16, in favor of the Highlanders. There’s 7:30 to play. Braswell does not know what else to pull as a reaction for a busted plays. Oh here is a new one, he just fell flat back on his chair. Josh Jenkins with a three and it’s UCR 22 CSUN 19.
Blame Rob Hayne’s hard head for Daniels’ forehead patch. I was a told by a team official that Daniels head injury occurred during pre-game today when Daniels and Haynes bumped heads. Haynes seems unharmed. And Rodrigue Mels is in!
No sign of Rodrigue Mels yet, other than him sitting at the bench. Mels has averaged 12 points per game in his last four games. CSUN still trailing, 10-7. Josh Jenkins has missed two early 3-pointers.
CSUN’s trailing 6-5 with 15:56 left in the first half. UC Riverside is hanging tough but it’s really too early to say anything about this game. The Matadome can still hold another thousand, or two. About a dozen of Red Rally members are already on their feet here though. And we’re all on TV, Fox Sports Prime Ticket.
Tremaine Townsend and Josh Jenkins are taking a seat in favor of Mark Hill and Willie Galick tonight. Your starters are Kenny Daniels (who has a patch right above his eyebrow), Vincent Cordell, Rob Haynes, Galick and Hill. Happy Valentine’s Day.