Northridge Shuts Down Mason to Overcome Loyola Marymount

John Olive made a statement, half compliment, half confession.

“I like seeing them on film,” he said. “I enjoy watching them play. I marvel at how hard they play and how competitive they are.”

Olive, Loyola Marymount’s first-year basketball coach, was talking about Cal State Northridge, which beat the Lions, 62-53, Tuesday night before 1,920 at Northridge.

Playing only their second home game, the Matadors (4-7) shot only 30.8% but survived by forcing 24 turnovers and outscoring Loyola, 27-12, at the free-throw line. They overcame a 10-point second-half deficit.

Zan Mason scored a game-high 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Loyola (4-7), but his effectiveness early might have cost the Lions late. As Northridge mounted its comeback, Loyola became one-dimensional, trying to force the ball to Mason at every opportunity.

Northridge’s Chris Yard, fronting Mason on defense, took advantage by directing away lob passes as if he were a volleyball setter. When he didn’t deflect them, he grabbed them, making four of his game-high six steals in the game’s final 12 minutes.

Trailing, 42-32, with 10:21 to play, Northridge, sparked by four turnovers, ran off 14 consecutive points for a lead it never lost.

Guard Andre Chevalier led Matador scorers with 16 points and his backcourt running mate, James Morris, added 12.