CSUN Gives Hayward Cold Reception, 76-69

The crowd looked like it had come to watch a football game in Denver.

Heavy coats, scarves and mittens were standard apparel for those in attendance Monday night at Cal State Northridge, where players and spectators braved 40-degree temperatures inside the gym as the Matadors defeated Cal State Hayward, 76-69, in a nonconference game.

“I’m shaking,” Hayward Coach Gary Hulst said. “I wonder who’s responsible if we get pneumonia.”

That would be the the California State University system, which shuts down the central heat on campus during Christmas vacation, leaving CSUN athletes, drama students and library visitors in the cold--literally.

Despite the chilly conditions, junior guard Chuck McGavran had a hot hand for the CSUN (6-3). McGavran scored a season-high 26 points, including 12 on three-point shots.

The score was 32-32 at halftime, but CSUN moved out to a 47-38 lead with with 14:35 left.

Hayward led, 58-56, with seven minutes remaining before McGavran scored nine points--six on three-pointers--during a 13-0, five-minute run in which CSUN seized control of the game.

“The cold really didn’t bother me too much, said McGavran, the only CSUN starter who did not don a T-shirt under his jersey. “I wasn’t really looking for the three-point shots, they were just there.”

When the Matadors did go inside, it was most often to center Todd Bowser, who pushed and shoved his way to 19 points and nine rebounds. Forward Ray Horwath also moved Hayward players around inside, scoring 13 points with 12 rebounds.

CSUN plays host to Fort Lewis tonight at 7:30.

“We’ll be ready,” Cassidy said. “Bring your longjohns.”