Matadors Edge Roadrunners in Close Contest
Thursday, March 5, 2026, 9:30 PM ET · Icardo Center
Cal State Northridge Matadors 86, Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners 84, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Cal State Northridge Matadors vs Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners?
Cal State Northridge Matadors beat Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners 86-84 at Icardo Center on March 5, 2026.
Who was favored in Cal State Northridge Matadors vs Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners?
Cal State Northridge Matadors were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -395 (about 80% implied). The favorite won.
In a thrilling encounter at the Icardo Center, the Cal State Northridge Matadors narrowly defeated the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners with a final score of 86-84. This matchup showcased the stark contrast in the teams' recent performances, with the Matadors entering the game with a record of 19-12, while the Roadrunners struggled at 8-23. The game was marked by a series of lead changes and tight scoring, reflecting the competitive spirit of both teams despite their differing standings.
The Matadors had been performing well in their last ten games, boasting a record of 7-3, although they entered this game on a two-game losing streak. Their average points scored over this stretch was 82.6, while they allowed 78.3 points per game. In their previous five games, they averaged 79.6 points scored and 76.4 points allowed. In contrast, the Roadrunners were mired in a ten-game losing streak, having not won since early January. Their last ten games resulted in an 0-10 record, with an average of 72.8 points scored and a troubling 88.4 points allowed per game. The Roadrunners' home record stood at 0-5, indicating their struggles on their home court.
Historically, the Matadors have had the upper hand in recent meetings, leading the head-to-head record at 2-1 over the last two seasons. They won both encounters in the 2026 season, including a decisive 87-66 victory earlier in December. The Roadrunners managed to secure a win against the Matadors in January 2025, but that success seemed distant given their current form.
In terms of injuries, the block does not provide specific details affecting either team, but the overall performance and recent struggles of the Roadrunners suggest that they may have been dealing with challenges in their roster.
The betting market, as reported by DraftKings, had the Matadors favored by 8.5 points, with a total set at 163.5. The moneyline odds reflected the Matadors as significant favorites at -395, while the Roadrunners were listed at +310. This pricing indicated a strong belief in the Matadors' ability to secure the win, which they ultimately did, albeit by a narrow margin.
The game conditions were not detailed in the block, but given the nature of the matchup and the stakes involved, it can be inferred that both teams were eager to perform well. The Roadrunners, despite their struggles, were likely motivated to put forth a strong showing in front of their home crowd.
As the game unfolded, several key moments defined the outcome. In the second half, Dailin Smith hit a crucial three-pointer, giving the Matadors a pivotal lead at a critical juncture. Josiah Davis then extended the lead with a jumper, but the Roadrunners responded with a layup from Ronald Jessamy. The back-and-forth nature of the scoring continued, with both teams exchanging baskets in the closing minutes. The Matadors managed to tie the game at 82-82 with a three-pointer from Mike Price before Joshua O'Garro's layup put them ahead. However, the Roadrunners fought back to equalize again, showcasing their resilience.
Ultimately, it was Josiah Davis's layup that sealed the victory for the Matadors, ensuring that they left the Icardo Center with a hard-fought win. This game not only highlighted the competitive nature of college basketball but also underscored the challenges faced by the Roadrunners this season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | CSUN -8.5 | 163.5 o -115 / u -105 | Cal State Northridge Matadors -395 · Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners +310 |
Leaders
- PointsRonald Jessamy23Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners
- AssistsKadar Waller6Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners
- ReboundsRonald Jessamy9Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners
- PointsJoshua O'Garro25Cal State Northridge Matadors
- AssistsJosiah Davis6Cal State Northridge Matadors
- ReboundsJoshua O'Garro11Cal State Northridge Matadors
Recent form
Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners
Last 10: 0-10Streak L1072.8 scored · 88.4 allowed per game0-5 at home
- L87-88vs Long Beach State BeachMar 1
- L72-84at UC San Diego TritonsFeb 27
- L80-88vs Cal State Fullerton TitansFeb 22
- L65-93at UC Riverside HighlandersFeb 20
- L74-89vs Hawai'i Rainbow WarriorsFeb 13
- L66-82at Cal State Fullerton TitansFeb 8
- L62-78at UC Irvine AnteatersFeb 6
- L72-80vs UC Davis AggiesJan 31
- L79-104vs Cal Poly MustangsJan 30
- L71-98at Hawai'i Rainbow WarriorsJan 23
Cal State Northridge Matadors
Last 10: 7-3Streak L282.6 scored · 78.3 allowed per game3-2 away
- L84-95at UC Riverside HighlandersMar 1
- L67-68vs UC Irvine AnteatersFeb 27
- W78-76at Long Beach State BeachFeb 22
- W85-83at UC Santa Barbara GauchosFeb 20
- W84-60vs Hawai'i Rainbow WarriorsFeb 15
- W88-74vs UC Riverside HighlandersFeb 7
- W97-96at Cal Poly MustangsFeb 6
- W81-64vs UC San Diego TritonsFeb 1
- W94-78vs UC Davis AggiesJan 30
- L68-89at Hawai'i Rainbow WarriorsJan 25
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| UC Irvine | 23-12 | - | 15-5 |
| Hawai'i | 24-9 | 1 | 14-6 |
| UC San Diego | 23-11 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Cal State Northridge | 20-14 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Cal State Fullerton | 18-16 | 3 | 12-8 |
| UC Davis | 19-14 | 4 | 11-9 |
| UC Santa Barbara | 18-14 | 4 | 11-9 |
| Cal Poly | 14-19 | 5 | 10-10 |
| Long Beach State | 10-22 | 9 | 6-14 |
| UC Riverside | 10-22 | 10 | 5-15 |
| Cal State Bakersfield | 8-24 | 13 | 2-18 |
Box score
| Stat | Cal State Northridge Matadors | Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 33-72 | 31-69 |
| Field goal % | 46 | 45 |
| Three-pointers | 6-27 | 8-24 |
| Three-point % | 22 | 33 |
| Free throws | 14-18 | 14-22 |
| Free throw % | 78 | 64 |
| Rebounds | 50 | 34 |
| Offensive rebounds | 18 | 10 |
| Defensive rebounds | 32 | 24 |
| Assists | 14 | 17 |
| Steals | 7 | 13 |
| Blocks | 3 | 5 |
| Turnovers | 17 | 10 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 11 | 17 |
| Fast-break points | 8 | 19 |
| Points in the paint | 48 | 38 |
| Fouls | 19 | 13 |
| Largest lead | 10 | 10 |
| Lead changes | 4 | 4 |
| Time in front | 49 | 42 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half45-48Dailin Smith makes 23-foot three point jumper (Kadar Waller assists)
- 2nd Half47-48Joshua O'Garro makes layup
- 2nd Half49-48Josiah Davis makes layup
- 2nd Half52-48Joshua O'Garro makes 24-foot three point jumper (Josiah Davis assists)
- 2nd Half55-48Larry Hughes II makes 23-foot three point jumper (Mahmoud Fofana assists)
- 2nd Half55-50CJ Hardy makes layup (Bentley Waller assists)
- 2nd Half55-51CJ Hardy makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half58-51Joshua O'Garro makes 24-foot three point jumper (Mahmoud Fofana assists)
- 2nd Half58-52Ronald Jessamy makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half58-53Ronald Jessamy makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half60-53Mahmoud Fofana makes layup (Joshua O'Garro assists)
- 2nd Half60-55CJ Hardy makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half63-55Joshua O'Garro makes 24-foot three point jumper (Josiah Davis assists)
- 2nd Half65-55Larry Hughes II makes 17-foot jumper (Jordan Brinson assists)
- 2nd Half65-57Dailin Smith makes 19-foot pullup jump shot (Mike Price assists)
- 2nd Half67-57Mahmoud Fofana makes layup
- 2nd Half67-59Mike Price makes driving layup
- 2nd Half69-59Mahmoud Fofana makes 2-foot dunk
- 2nd Half69-61Ronald Jessamy makes 1-foot dunk (Kadar Waller assists)
- 2nd Half71-61Mahmoud Fofana makes layup (Josiah Davis assists)
- 2nd Half71-64Kadar Waller makes 23-foot three point jumper (CJ Hardy assists)
- 2nd Half72-64Mahmoud Fofana makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half73-64Mahmoud Fofana makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half73-66Ronald Jessamy makes layup
- 2nd Half75-66Joshua O'Garro makes 9-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half75-69Mike Price makes 24-foot three point jumper (Dailin Smith assists)
- 2nd Half77-69Josiah Davis makes layup
- 2nd Half77-70Mike Price makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half77-71Kadar Waller makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half77-72Kadar Waller makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half79-72Mahmoud Fofana makes 2-foot dunk (Davius Loury assists)
- 2nd Half79-74Ronald Jessamy makes driving layup
- 2nd Half79-77Dailin Smith makes 23-foot three point jumper (Kadar Waller assists)
- 2nd Half81-77Josiah Davis makes 4-foot jumper
- 2nd Half81-79Ronald Jessamy makes layup (Mike Price assists)
- 2nd Half82-79Mahmoud Fofana makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half82-82Mike Price makes 23-foot three point jumper (Kadar Waller assists)
- 2nd Half84-82Joshua O'Garro makes layup
- 2nd Half84-84CJ Hardy makes layup
- 2nd Half86-84Josiah Davis makes layup
Win probability
Above the line favours Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners, below favours Cal State Northridge Matadors.
Venue
- Icardo CenterBakersfield, CA
- Attendance356
- OfficialsMichael Greenstein, Jason Garretson, Antonio Moss
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond