The non-conference season is over and the Matadors (3-7) have unanswered questions and unexpected struggles to show for the 10-game, two-month span. San Diego State had little difficulty pushing them aside 72-56 Monday night and CSUN finds itself at the doorstep of the Big West Conference without having won a road game and, more importantly, not having shown why the whole solar system saw them as the best team in the modest league a few months ago.

The Aztecs led by 12 points at halftime and expanded that advantage to 60-41 after Kyle Spain, who led all scorers with 22 points, hit a three-pointer midway through the second half. Northridge never got within single digits in the period.

Deon Tresvant scored 18 points off the bench for the Matadors. Josh Jenkins had 11 points, but his turnover woes came back on the road (he’d only had three in his last two games combined, both were home games). The point guard had seven giveaways, and three assists.

CSUN is on a seven-day break before they begin conference season, many times referred as the “real season.” The Matadors will once again be on the road and face defending Big West champion Cal State Fullerton (6-6).