CSUN GUARD'S CAREER REACHES CROSSROADS.Byline: Marc J. Spears Daily News Staff Writer For good reason, two Montana State players thanked Trenton Cross for not getting a hot hand during their tough victory over Cal State Northridge on Thursday. He had two points in 13 minutes. Last season, the Northridge guard led the Matadors over the Bobcats in the Big Sky Tournament with a game-high 16 points and ended up being named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. This season, however, Cross' heroics he·ro·ic adj. also he·ro·i·cal 1. Of, relating to, or resembling the heroes of literature, legend, or myth. 2. are a thing of the past. This afternoon, the Matadors (4-9, 0-3 Big Sky) hope for better from Cross and themselves when they host Montana (8-8, 1-2). The 5-11 Reseda High graduate entered the season on four of the top-10 charts in the Matadors record book. He was fifth in assists, seventh in steals and eighth in 3-point field goals made and attempted. Last season, Cross averaged 17.8 points during the last 11 games and a career-best 10.9 points for the year. But this season, his scoring average has dropped to a career-low 4.7, which ranks ninth on the team. Although his team-best 16 steals has him four shy of sole possession of fourth place on the school's all-time list, he is averaging less than one 3-pointer made per game and 1.7 assists. When asked why Cross is struggling, a stumped stump n. 1. The part of a tree trunk left protruding from the ground after the tree has fallen or has been felled. 2. CSUN CSUN California State University Northridge coach Bobby Braswell Bobby Braswell, an American basketball coach, is currently the head coach for Cal State Northridge. Braswell was named the fourth head coach in Northridge history on April 30, 1996, succeeding the retired Pete Cassidy. said, ``I wish I could answer that question, but I can't. We definitely need him to produce more. I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. what it is.'' Some believe it might be a lack of confidence. Others say it might be intimidation from all of CSUN's new guards. It also could be a lack of playing time. He is averaging 16.5 minutes per game, which is 3-1/2 less than last season. Cross says it's caused by second-guessing himself at times and not playing aggressively. ``I can put it on myself,'' Cross said. ``There is no coach to blame or players, it is just me. Everybody has problems and you just have to put them to the side and play. I'm just struggling right now. But I have to do something, because I'm a senior and I will be gone soon. ``I'm not selfish self·ish adj. 1. Concerned chiefly or only with oneself: "Selfish men were . . . trying to make capital for themselves out of the sacred cause of human rights" Maria Weston Chapman. to the point where I want (Braswell) to just keep putting me out there even though I'm hurting the team. If someone is playing better and can help us win, I'd rather it be he than me.'' Cross believes the remedy for himself and the team is winning. The Matadors have dropped six in a row against Division I opponents with the last win coming on Dec. 6 against Loyola Marymount. Upcoming games, however, may get CSUN on track. Montana has lost two straight, played a weak nonconference schedule and three of its eight wins were against non-Division I schools. CSUN's next two games after Montana are on the road against Sacramento State and Weber State, which entered Saturday with a combined 5-19 record. ``We all have to find a way to get on track and get things going,'' said Cross, 21, who is expected to graduate with a degree in criminology criminology, the study of crime, society's response to it, and its prevention, including examination of the environmental, hereditary, or psychological causes of crime, modes of criminal investigation and conviction, and the efficacy of punishment or correction (see in May. ``Right now as a team, it has gotten to the point where we have to say enough is enough. We have to get ourselves together before we dig a hole too deep.'' CSUN vs. MONTANA Tipoff: 2 p.m., at the Northridge gym. TV/Radio: None. CSUN (4-9, 0-3 Big Sky) update: The Matadors have dropped their past six games against Division I opponents and are coming off an 86-77 loss to Montana State on Thursday. In their last meeting, Northridge lost to Montana in the Big Sky Tournament championship game 82-79. Reserve forward Brian Hagens is expected to miss his second straight game because of an indefinite INDEFINITE. That which is undefined; uncertain. INDEFINITE, NUMBER. A number which may be increased or diminished at pleasure. 2. When a corporation is composed of an indefinite number of persons, any number of them consisting of a majority of those suspension for academic reasons and not adhering ADHERING. Cleaving to, or joining; as, adhering to the enemies of the United States. 2. The constitution of the United States, art. 3, s 3, defines treason against the United States, to consist only in levying war against them or in adhering to their enemies, to team rules. Montana (8-8, 1-2 Big Sky) update: The Grizzlies The name Grizzlies may refer to:
CAPTION(S): Box BOX: CSUN vs. MONTANA (see text) |
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