The Mustangs couldn’t get anything going offensively for them in the paint, given the fact they only had two players over 6-foot-5 going up against a taller Matador team. The Mustangs then decided to utilize their speed to run around screens for open jump shots, mainly from three-point range. They were able to put up 33 three pointers in the game.

“There real good scrappy group and they did a good job running their motion,” CSUN head coach Bobby Braswell said about The Masters College playing style. “They wanted to just get us moving around defensively as much as they could. Hold the ball as much as they could and then try to penetrate and find their shooters.”

Luckily for Northridge The Masters College was only able to knock down eight three point shots and for the game shot a dismal 24.2 percent from long range.

In their final exhibition game the Matadors defeated the Mustangs 78-61, Saturday night at the Matadome. CSUN was led in points by first year Matador Lenny Daniel with 19.

To start the game senior Kenny Daniels had the hot hand scoring 16 points. He was able to penetrate in the paint and get to the free throw line. As a team the Matadors scored 18 points inside and went to the line 19 times in the first half.

In the second half with 8:39 left the Mustangs were able to cut CSUN’s led to single digits. The score was 61-52 but soon after the Matadors went on a 10-2 run. The Masters College closed out the game only managing to get nine points.

One of the big concerns for the Matadors this season is who is going to fill the void of Tremaine Townsend, last season’s leading rebounder. Townsend who graduated was also Northridge second leading scorer with 11.

The perfect player to replace Townsend could be Daniel. He scored 37 points and recorded 13 rebounds in two exhibition games.

“He is not quite as big and strong as (Townsend) yet but eventually he will be there,” Braswell said. “He’s really good around the basket…scoring around the basket. He is a good athlete…he has a nose for the ball.”

After finishing exhibition play Northridge should be worried about making three point shots, only being able to make four in two games. Also senior guard Mark Hill was held scoreless in both games and didn’t seem to be attacking the basket.

“I’m not really caring about my numbers or anything right now, basically I just wanna win,” Hill said. “As long as we winning and executing and we play hard that’s what is all about.”

The Matadors now get to focus on their season opener on Friday at No. 7 Purdue.

“We will have to spend the next four or five days getting our game plan together and getting our guys to execute the things we need to do to beat a good Purdue team, “ Braswell said.