What began as a high-energy showcase of dominance for CSUN turned into a test of composure, as the Matadors survived a late surge by Long Beach State to secure an 86-76 victory. While the win was never truly in doubt, the game revealed both the team’s high ceiling and lingering inconsistencies that Coach Newman knows must be addressed.
First Half: Energy and Momentum
From the opening tip, CSUN set an electric tone. The Matadors controlled the jump, and Mahmoud Fofana immediately fed Marcus Adams Jr., who threw down a dunk just three seconds into the game. The early statement reflected CSUN’s focus and determination to capitalize on Long Beach State’s recent struggles. “We knew they were on a two-game losing streak,” CSUN’s Adams said. “We weren’t about to let them take it out on us. We wanted to build a wall, make it a three-game streak, and avoid feeling what we did after Bakersfield.”
The Matadors raced to a 15-point lead behind relentless defense, sharp execution, and dominance in the paint. Grady Lewis was particularly impressive, providing a physical presence down low. His ability to control the boards and score in the post helped CSUN establish a rhythm that Long Beach State struggled to match. Adams, showcasing the footwork and finesse developed as a “chubby, short kid” in the post under his father’s guidance, was electric. He buried three triples and glided through defenders with polished spins and pivots. “I owe my footwork to those early days in the post,” Adams added. “It’s something that’s stuck with me.”
Once again, Keonte Jones’ all-around effort proved why he is the engine that keeps this CSUN train running. On a night where his impact was undeniable, he stuffed the stat sheet in a meaningful way, igniting his teammates with his intensity and elevating their play to another level.
Despite CSUN’s early dominance, Long Beach State didn’t fold. Devin Askew and Kam Martin spearheaded a mini-comeback, attacking the lane and finding open shooters on the wings. Martin’s pair of threes cut the deficit to eight, forcing Coach Newman to call a heated timeout at the 7:21 mark.
“Coach was livid,” Adams admitted. “He told us, ‘Here we go again, just like Bakersfield.’ We had to lock in or risk letting them take over.”
The message resonated. CSUN responded with a dominant 21-7 run to close the half. Scotty Washington and PJ Fuller delivered key plays on both ends, while Jones’ steady presence kept the team organized. By halftime, CSUN held a commanding 57-35 lead, buoyed by their relentless rebounding (26-6 edge) and unselfish ball movement.
Second Half: Long Beach State Pushes Back
The Matadors opened the second half with the same fire, extending their lead to 28 points. But Long Beach State, led by an inspired TJ Wainwright, refused to back down. Playing in front of family and friends in his hometown of Los Angeles, Wainwright put on a show, scoring 27 points on 6-for-7 shooting from beyond the arc.
“This season hasn’t gone the way we wanted, so I’ve just been putting in extra time in the gym,” Wainwright said. “Having familiar faces here, it gave me an extra edge. I wanted to leave it all out on the court.”
Wainwright embraced his role as “road villain,” electrifying the crowd with his deep shooting and emotional displays. His primal yells, flexes, and stare-downs after each dagger three were met with a mix of jeers and begrudging cheers from the CSUN faithful. However, his technical foul after a passionate moment briefly swung momentum back to CSUN.
While Wainwright nearly willed The Beach back into the game, his teammates struggled to find consistency. Askew, usually a reliable scorer, couldn’t break free from CSUN’s suffocating defense, often forcing contested, low-percentage shots. Despite The Beach pulling within 10 points late, timely plays from CSUN’s Scotty Washington and PJ Fuller proved decisive. Fuller’s high-banking shot to beat the shot clock and Fofana’s hustle tip-in were momentum killers. Grady Lewis continued to dominate in the paint, adding crucial second-chance points and securing key rebounds. Off the bench, Tyler Beard provided a spark with timely buckets and defensive takeaways that helped keep Long Beach State at bay.
Coach’s Frustration, Team’s Potential
Despite securing the win, Coach Newman wasn’t entirely satisfied. “We’re fighting complacency,” he said. “This isn’t the first time we’ve let a big lead slip, and it’s something we have to fix. Defense is hard, but that’s what separates good teams from great ones.”
Still, Newman praised his team’s unselfishness. Six Matadors scored in double figures, with Scotty Washington leading the way with 19 points, followed by Adams with 17, and Fuller and Jones with 12 each. Jones’ all-around performance—8 rebounds (3 offensive), 5 assists, and 2 steals—highlighted his ability to impact the game in multiple ways.
For Long Beach State, Wainwright’s brilliance was the lone bright spot. “I try to be dynamic, not just a catch-and-shoot guy,” he said. “I feel like I can put the ball on the floor too, so I mix it up. Tonight, I just wanted to bring everything I had.” Unfortunately for The Beach, their struggles on the boards (outrebounded 39-23) and turnovers (15) made the climb too steep.
Takeaways
- CSUN’s Fast Start: The Matadors were dominant in the first half, setting the tone with their energy, ball movement, and defensive pressure. Their ability to set the tone early remains a key strength.
- Wainwright’s Heroics: Long Beach State’s guard delivered a performance worthy of the admission price, igniting his team and the crowd with his passionate play.
- Dominance in the Paint: Grady Lewis, Keonte Jones, and the entire Matador crew all chipped in to own the interior, giving CSUN second-chance opportunities and a clear edge on the boards.
- Keonte Jones’ All-Around Impact: Jones led the team in rebounds, assists, and steals, further solidifying his role as the Matadors’ most reliable and versatile player.
- Consistency Needed: CSUN’s second-half lapses highlight a troubling pattern of letting big leads shrink. For Coach Newman, maintaining focus for a full 40 minutes is the next step for his team.
The Matadors (10-3) will look to clean up their mistakes as they head to San Diego on Saturday, while The Beach (7-6) will aim to build on Wainwright’s brilliance and take the next step in their offensive development.
Author
Ben, Chief Editor and Business Consultant at WCSM, is also the Chief Creative Officer at two multi-million-dollar businesses, where he has driven growth and innovation. A summa cum laude graduate with degrees in Statistics and Business Computer Information Systems, Ben has helped small businesses double their revenue, launched YouTube channels with over 50K followers, and created websites for high-profile clients in TV and film. His expertise spans content creation, video production, advertising, analytics, web design, and data analysis. Ben is eager to bring his skills to WCSM, turning their vision into impactful realities while fostering sustainable growth.
