USIU’s Bradshaw Scores 53, but Northridge Wins, 123-91

Cal State Northridge has usually been on the receiving end of the reverse dunks and the cherry-pick layups. On Monday night, the Matadors got a chance to dish it out in a 123-91 victory over U.S. International.

Kevin Bradshaw, who scored 72 points against Loyola Marymount, the most points by a Division I player against a Division I team, scored 53 points against Northridge. That tied his third-highest game and increased his average to 37.3 points per game.

“I’m not worrying about scoring,” Bradshaw said. “But before I leave I would like to win a few games.”

The Gulls fell to 1-21. Their losing streak grew to 17 games.

For the first time in Northridge’s first Division I season, Coach Pete Cassidy was able to take his starters out one at a time to the cheers of the crowd of 789 at Matador Gymnasium.

Northridge set a school record with its 123 points. Freshman Martin Smith’s jump shot with 54 seconds left surpassed the record 118 set in 1988. The 32-point margin of victory was the highest of the season for the Matadors, who improved to 7-11 overall and 5-1 at home.

Six Northridge players scored in double figures, including Kirk Scott, a senior forward, who scored a career-high 14 points in 14 minutes.

Kyle Kerlegan led the Matadors with 23 points, including seven three-point shots. Todd Bowser scored 20 points to give him 1,002 for his career.