Northridge, CA – Coming off of the biggest win in their program’s history earlier this week at UCLA, Cal State Northridge kept it rolling by defeating the visiting Montana State Bobcats 82-70 on Friday afternoon. The Matadors were led by De’Sean Allen-Eikens’ 23 points and six boards while Montana State was helped by senior guard Robert Ford III and his 23 points including four made 3’s. Dionte Bostick had a nice game as well with 18 points of his own and really helped put the game away for CSUN down the stretch. In a clash of styles Montana State, who fell to 5-6 on the season, was outdone by their own strength in this game. The Bobcats are 36th in the country in 3-point attempts at almost 30 a game while CSUN is ranked 350th out of 362 schools in attempts from beyond the arc, but CSUN was the team that made more 3’s in this contest.
The first half was hotly contested and even got chippy at one point as the two teams had to be separated by the officials after a shove to the ground on a Montana State player following an and-1 foul. The game was extremely close throughout the first 20 minutes as no team held a lead greater than four points and both teams continued to trade baskets. Ford III had 11 first half points for Montana State while Allen-Eikens scored 15 points in 15 minutes for CSUN. The teams were almost inseparable as CSUN went into the half leading by a single point, 38-37.
The beginning of the second half started out the same as both teams continued to keep it close and exchange buckets for the first few minutes. But that ended quickly as CSUN started to string together multiple stops in a row on defense and didn’t let up the scoring. By the 9-minute mark the Matadors were up by 11 points as Montana State suddenly went cold from 3 and couldn’t control the onslaught of offense that CSUN was able to maintain. Despite only connecting on 12-of-25 free throws (48%), the home team from Northridge was still able to pull away and pick up a 12 point victory. This was an aggressive contest that featured two technical fouls, 44 total fouls, and 50 combined free-throw attempts between the two sides.
De’Sean Allen-Eikens is on his third team in his collegiate career and has seemed to have found a home in Northridge. The former North Dakota and New Orleans transfer is having a standout year averaging 20 points and six rebounds while shooting over 40% from 3. The area that really stands out with Allen-Eikens is his strength around the basket. He finishes through contact at a very high level and is attempting almost seven free-throws a game. He has a really good all-around offensive package but especially excels at slashing and driving to the hoop. He is a bit of a tweener as a 6’6” frontcourt player, but his 3-point shot has been a revelation this season after only making around 30% his first 4 years. Allen-Eikens could be able to carve out a role at a mid-tier level overseas, particularly if he continues to show off an improved perimeter game.
One of the most unique players in college basketball that not many people have heard of has to be Montana State senior guard Robert Ford III. Ford is listed at only 6’0” but might be shorter than that watching him in person. Despite his size, Ford is averaging over eight rebounds a game and had nine boards in this game. He flies into the paint after every shot attempt and has no fear at all crashing the glass no matter who he’s going up against. He rebounds like a 7-footer but by being only 6’0” can handle the ball, has a quickness advantage over a lot of players, and also shoots 43% from 3. He showed tremendous poise and leadership in calming down his teammates during the difficult moments of the game and is just a complete general on the court. I don’t know if he’ll want to pursue a professional career in another country, but if he does I hope he makes it because he is a one of a kind player and very fun to watch.
This was the final out of conference game for both teams, and as conference season begins around the nation, Montana State starts off their Big Sky journey by taking on Idaho State next Thursday, December 28. The 9-3 CSUN Matadors had an excellent showing in their out of conference schedule but were picked to finish 10th in the Big West. They will look to surprise some people this season and prove them wrong as they take on Cal Poly also on December 28th.
This article was written by Omar Hillo, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Facebook, or on twitter.
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