NORTHRIDGE, Calif. — California State University Northridge (CSUN) Men’s Basketball secured its first win of the 2026 season with a commanding 108-69 victory over Grace University on November 12 at Premier America Credit Union Arena.
The Matadors showcased a balanced offensive attack, with every player scoring and four reaching double figures. Guard Mikah Ballew led the way with a career-high 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting, including three three-pointers. Forward Brooklyn Hicks added a career-best 21 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. Guard Josiah Davis recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 assists, marking his tenth collegiate double-double and ninth game with double-digit assists.
CSUN dominated the statistical categories, shooting 57.5 percent from the field and 45 percent from beyond the arc while outrebounding Grace 52-27. The Matadors excelled in points in the paint (64-10) and second-chance points (18-2). Notably, Quinton Webb scored his first career points for CSUN after missing last season due to injury, and Jalen Barbee recorded his first points in two seasons.
Head coach Andy Newman praised the team’s performance, particularly the contributions of the new players and the leadership of Josiah Davis. With this victory, CSUN improved to 1-2 on the season, while Grace University dropped to 0-3. CSUN will next face Troy University on Tuesday, November 17, with the game airing on ESPN+ and GoMatadors.com/Radio.
CSB Take
This decisive win marks an important milestone for California State University Northridge Men’s Basketball as the team begins to gel with multiple new players on the roster. Standout performances from Mikah Ballew and Josiah Davis signal the emergence of key contributors who can help lead the program forward. Sustaining this balanced effort will be essential as CSUN looks to solidify its position in the competitive Big West Conference during the coming season.
Source: Original report
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