CSUN NOTEBOOK: CSUN TROUBLE COMES IN 3S.

Byline: Brian Dohn Daily News Staff Writer

The Cal State Northridge men's basketball team is in a funk in which the offense regresses into nothing more than ill-advised 3-point attempts.

You can count on an extended lapse of this type each game, which is why the Matadors (9-6, 1-2 Big Sky) should feel fortunate to have at least one conference win going into tonight's home game with Eastern Washington.

``It's an easy way out on offense,'' CSUN coach Bobby Braswell said. ``Somehow we've got to get it figured out.''

CSUN is shooting 34.2 percent from 3-point range, a number that dips to 32 percent during conference games.

However, it's not the inability to score that's hurting the Matadors. It's the unwillingness to work for better shots.

Recently, the Matadors rarely use more than 20 seconds of the 35-second shot clock before hoisting up a 3-pointer. They're averaging 23 attempts from 3-point range in three conference games.

``It's not that we don't talk about, it's not that we don't work on it every day in practice,'' Braswell said. ``Somehow we have to figure out that when we get into this easy-way-out offense, or this hero syndrome where we start casting up quick shots, we're not as good.

``And when you're not defending, and you're taking quick, bad shots, it's going to lead to losses, and that's what it's done.''

Schedule talk: CSUN's high-profile sports have the added responsibility of making money to fund the nonrevenue sports, so Matadors associate head coach Mike Johnson burns the phone lines looking for guarantee games. He may have found one in Fresno State for next season.

``We're really close,'' Johnson said. ``We're just working on one or two things.''

The biggest issue remaining is the cash CSUN will receive for playing at Fresno State, but Johnson said he expects a one-game contract to be signed.

In addition, Johnson said he's working on securing a home-and-home series with Texas El-Paso. It would begin next season with the dates and sites to be worked out.

Lockout fallout: Because the NBA lockout was settled and the season will begin in February, CSUN's game against Montana State next Friday won't be shown on Fox Sports West.

Sounds strange, but it's true. The network was working on plans to air the game, which is being broadcast by Fox Sports Northwest, until the NBA owners and players settled.

According to a Fox Sports West spokesperson, CSUN's game got scrapped because the network now must fulfill other contract obligations before the NBA season begins. Instead of certain things airing in February and March, those events will air in January, a spokesperson said.

CSUN vs. E. WASHINGTON

Time: 7:05 p.m., at CSUN gym.

TV/Radio: None.

CSUN (9-6, 1-2) update: Despite their periods of sloppy play, the Matadors have shown resiliency to come from behind. They've done so from second-half, double-digit deficits to force overtime in both their league losses.But CSUN may have to look for power forward Rico Harris more on offense.

Eastern Washington (4-8, 1-1) update: These are the types of teams good teams beat at home. The Eagles did plaster Idaho State in the conference opener, but that also serves as their best win to date. Last season's 10-6 mark in the conference was the first time since 1989-90 the Eagles finished above .500.

- Brian Dohn

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Box: (Ran in Final Edition only) CSUN vs. E. WASHINGTON (See text)