CSUN FALLS TO OHIO : OHIO 79, CSUN 77.

Byline: Associated Press 

Jim Peterson hit a 3-pointer from the right wing with 1:06 remaining and Ohio hung on for a 79-77 win over Cal State Northridge on Wednesday.

Peterson's decisive 3-pointer put Ohio ahead for good in a tight game that saw the lead change hands 20 times. The Bobcats led 74-73 when Simmons made a layup with 2:25 to play. Ford responded by coming off a screen at the foul line and hitting a jumper from left of the key for a 76-75 lead at 1:57.

Simmons answered with another strong low-post move for a layup with 1:21 remaining giving Northridge a one-point lead again. Fifteen seconds later, Peterson hit his third 3-pointer of the game to give the Bobcats the win.

Ohio made four fewer field goals than the Matadors but went 28 for 43 from the foul line, as Northridge was whistled for a Convocation Center-record 35 team fouls.

``When you are playing on the road, you need to realize and understand you are not going to get the calls,'' Northridge coach Bobby Braswell said. ``I told the guys at halftime that the officials are calling it tight and we need to make an adjustment. It was extremely difficult to play our brand of basketball when a game is being called tight and every one of your players has three or more fouls.''

CSUN's Greg Minor, who entered the game as the team's leading scorer, was held to a season-low seven points.

All of CSUN's losses on the road. The Matadors' tough schedule is ranked 53rd overall out of 309 school by the Sagarin Ratings Power Index. The losses include two to San Diego and Ohio by a total of three points and losses at Arizona State, Ohio State and Oregon State.