Cal State Northridge Edges UC San Diego in Thriller
Thursday, January 15, 2026, 10:00 PM ET · LionTree Arena
Cal State Northridge Matadors 84, UC San Diego Tritons 79, 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 UC San Diego Tritons?
Cal State Northridge Matadors beat UC San Diego Tritons 84-79 at LionTree Arena on January 15, 2026.
Who was favored in Cal State Northridge Matadors vs UC San Diego Tritons?
UC San Diego Tritons were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -360 (about 78% implied). The underdog won.
In a closely contested matchup, the Cal State Northridge Matadors defeated the UC San Diego Tritons 84-79 at LionTree Arena on January 16, 2026. This victory marked a significant moment for the Matadors, who improved their record to 12-8, while the Tritons fell to 13-6. The game showcased the competitive spirit of both teams, with each side eager to secure a win.
Both teams entered the game with solid recent form. The Tritons had a record of 6-4 over their last ten games, with an average of 76.3 points scored and 71.2 points allowed. Their last game prior to this matchup was a narrow victory against UC Riverside, where they won 69-66. However, they had also suffered a heavy loss to Cal State Fullerton, falling 71-88 just a week earlier. At home, they had a record of 3-2 in their last five games, averaging 74.6 points scored and allowing 71.2.
On the other hand, the Matadors also boasted a 6-4 record in their last ten games, but they had a higher scoring average of 84.4 points, while allowing 79.7 points. Their most recent outing was a loss to Cal State Fullerton, where they fell 79-86. Despite this setback, they had shown offensive prowess, including a high-scoring win against Sacramento State, where they triumphed 100-88. However, their away record was concerning at 1-4, indicating challenges on the road.
Historically, the Tritons had the upper hand in their previous meetings, winning both encounters in the 2025 season. They had defeated the Matadors 79-54 at home and 77-71 away, establishing a competitive edge that they hoped to maintain. However, the Matadors were determined to change the narrative in this matchup.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details, but it is common for teams to deal with player availability issues that can impact performance. The absence of key players can significantly influence the outcome of games, particularly in high-stakes matchups like this one.
The betting lines from DraftKings indicated UC San Diego as the favorite, with a spread of -7.5 and a money line of -360. In contrast, Cal State Northridge was listed at +285 on the money line, reflecting their status as underdogs. The total for the game was set at 159.5, suggesting expectations for a high-scoring affair.
Conditions in the arena were typical for a college basketball game, with fans eager to support their teams. The atmosphere was charged, contributing to the competitive nature of the contest.
As the game unfolded, it was clear that the Matadors were not going to back down. Key moments in the second half included a series of scoring plays that shifted momentum. Leo Beath made a crucial free throw, followed by Mahmoud Fofana's layup that tied the game at 76. Josiah Davis then took control, making a driving layup and a free throw to push the Matadors ahead. A pivotal three-point jumper from Alex Chaikin kept the game tied, but Davis's continued scoring helped secure the lead.
Ultimately, Mahmoud Fofana's tip-in layup sealed the victory for Cal State Northridge, marking a significant win against a previously dominant Tritons team. The final score of 84-79 highlighted the resilience of the Matadors and their ability to perform under pressure, while also showcasing the Tritons' competitive spirit in a hard-fought battle.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | UCSD -7.5 | 159.5 o -110 / u -110 | Cal State Northridge Matadors +285 · UC San Diego Tritons -360 |
Leaders
- PointsAlex Chaikin22UC San Diego Tritons
- AssistsLeo Beath3UC San Diego Tritons
- ReboundsHudson Mayes9UC San Diego Tritons
- PointsJosiah Davis23Cal State Northridge Matadors
- AssistsJosiah Davis7Cal State Northridge Matadors
- ReboundsMahmoud Fofana17Cal State Northridge Matadors
Recent form
UC San Diego Tritons
Last 10: 6-4Streak W176.3 scored · 71.2 allowed per game3-2 at home
- W69-66at UC Riverside HighlandersJan 11
- L71-88vs Cal State Fullerton TitansJan 9
- W83-73vs Hawai'i Rainbow WarriorsJan 4
- L65-67at Cal Poly MustangsJan 2
- W85-62vs Stanton ElksDec 29
- L80-82vs San Diego TorerosDec 20
- W67-57at Loyola Marymount LionsDec 17
- W93-67vs Tulane Green WaveDec 14
- W80-74at Long Beach State BeachDec 7
- L70-76at Nevada Wolf PackDec 3
Cal State Northridge Matadors
Last 10: 6-4Streak L184.4 scored · 79.7 allowed per game1-4 away
- L79-86at Cal State Fullerton TitansJan 11
- W95-90vs Cal Poly MustangsJan 9
- W74-65vs UC Santa Barbara GauchosJan 3
- L80-89at UC Davis AggiesJan 1
- L80-88at Stanford CardinalDec 28
- W100-88vs Sacramento State HornetsDec 23
- W88-53vs La Sierra Golden EaglesDec 19
- W88-66at Delaware Blue HensDec 13
- W89-87vs Fresno State BulldogsDec 11
- L71-85at UC Irvine AnteatersDec 7
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 | UC San Diego Tritons |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 30-64 | 28-67 |
| Field goal % | 47 | 42 |
| Three-pointers | 5-18 | 9-30 |
| Three-point % | 28 | 30 |
| Free throws | 19-29 | 14-19 |
| Free throw % | 66 | 74 |
| Rebounds | 46 | 32 |
| Offensive rebounds | 13 | 9 |
| Defensive rebounds | 33 | 23 |
| Assists | 13 | 14 |
| Steals | 5 | 3 |
| Blocks | 3 | 4 |
| Turnovers | 7 | 6 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 6 | 9 |
| Fast-break points | 5 | 11 |
| Points in the paint | 46 | 38 |
| Fouls | 19 | 21 |
| Largest lead | 11 | 4 |
| Lead changes | 5 | 5 |
| Time in front | 62 | 22 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half51-48Emanuel Prospere II makes driving layup
- 2nd Half51-50Leo Beath makes 13-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half52-50James Evans Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half53-50James Evans Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half54-50Mahmoud Fofana makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half54-53Alex Chaikin makes 27-foot three point jumper (Dimitrije Vukicevic assists)
- 2nd Half56-53James Evans Jr. makes 6-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half58-53Larry Hughes II makes 15-foot jumper (Mahmoud Fofana assists)
- 2nd Half58-55Hudson Mayes makes driving layup
- 2nd Half60-55James Evans Jr. makes 15-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half62-55Joshua O'Garro makes driving layup
- 2nd Half62-57Emanuel Prospere II makes driving layup
- 2nd Half62-58Emanuel Prospere II makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half62-59Leo Beath makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half62-60Leo Beath makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half63-60Josiah Davis makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half64-60Josiah Davis makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half64-63Tom Beattie makes 28-foot three point step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half66-63Josiah Davis makes driving layup
- 2nd Half66-64Alex Chaikin makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-65Alex Chaikin makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half66-67Hudson Mayes makes 5-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half67-67Mahmoud Fofana makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half67-69Emanuel Prospere II makes layup (Hudson Mayes assists)
- 2nd Half69-69Josiah Davis makes driving layup
- 2nd Half69-71Leo Beath makes driving layup (Emanuel Prospere II assists)
- 2nd Half69-72Leo Beath makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half71-72Josiah Davis makes driving layup (Mahmoud Fofana assists)
- 2nd Half71-74Tom Beattie makes driving layup
- 2nd Half71-75Tom Beattie makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half73-75Josiah Davis makes driving layup
- 2nd Half74-75Josiah Davis makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half74-76Leo Beath makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half76-76Mahmoud Fofana makes layup
- 2nd Half78-76Josiah Davis makes driving layup
- 2nd Half79-76Josiah Davis makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half79-79Alex Chaikin makes 27-foot three point jumper (Tom Beattie assists)
- 2nd Half81-79Josiah Davis makes driving layup
- 2nd Half82-79Josiah Davis makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half84-79Mahmoud Fofana makes 0-foot tip in layup
Win probability
Above the line favours UC San Diego Tritons, below favours Cal State Northridge Matadors.
Venue
- LionTree ArenaSan Diego, CA
- Attendance3117
- OfficialsMichael Irving, Gene Grimshaw, Eric Curry
Elsewhere
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- 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
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Picks for NCAAB
NCAAB rules and settlement
These two, other days
- Cal State Northridge Defeats UC San Diego 80-70Mar 12, 2026
- Cal State Northridge Defeats UC San Diego 81-64Jan 31, 2026