CSUN UPDATE: CURRY WON'T RETURN.

Byline: Lee Barnathan Staff Writer

The door is closed. Cal State Northridge's Big Sky championship hopes are not only no longer in the refrigerator, they're walking out of the kitchen.

The women's basketball team boarded its team bus early Wednesday morning for the trip to Idaho State without guard Edniesha Curry, who will not be returning to the team. Curry met with Northridge coach Frozena Jerro on Tuesday and parted on friendly terms.

``She isn't (coming back),'' said Jamilah Jones, Curry's roommate and teammate who took a leave of absence but is expected back next week. ``She said a long time ago she wasn't. She took some extra classes because she no longer has basketball practice.''

Curry was Northridge's leading scorer. Now, the team's chances to repeat as conference champion are much more difficult.

``It's obviously not a good thing,'' said Montana coach Robin Selvig, whose team is in first place and has the most to gain from Curry's departure. If Montana wins its remaining games, coupled with Northridge losing just once, the Lady Griz will host the Big Sky Tournament and be overwhelming favorites to reach the NCAA Tournament.

``There's a lot of tough games ahead for Northridge,'' Selvig said, ``whether they have her or not.''

The Matadors lost to Weber State last week and now have to play their first road game without their two starters. Big Sky arenas are hostile environments, as Montana proved when it went to Weber State and lost.