UC Irvine Edges Out Cal State Northridge in Close Contest
Thursday, February 26, 2026, 10:00 PM ET · Premier America Credit Union Arena
UC Irvine Anteaters 68, Cal State Northridge Matadors 67, 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 UC Irvine Anteaters vs Cal State Northridge Matadors?
UC Irvine Anteaters beat Cal State Northridge Matadors 68-67 at Premier America Credit Union Arena on February 26, 2026.
Who was favored in UC Irvine Anteaters vs Cal State Northridge Matadors?
Cal State Northridge Matadors were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -125 (about 56% implied). The underdog won.
In a tightly contested matchup, the UC Irvine Anteaters narrowly defeated the Cal State Northridge Matadors with a final score of 68-67. This game, held at the Premier America Credit Union Arena, showcased the competitive spirit of both teams, with the Anteaters managing to secure the win despite a strong performance from the Matadors.
The Anteaters came into this game with a record of 19-10, while the Matadors had an 18-11 record. UC Irvine's recent form showed a mixed bag with a record of 6-4 over their last ten games, and they were on a one-game losing streak. In contrast, Cal State Northridge had been in excellent form, winning eight of their last ten games and riding a seven-game winning streak. The Matadors averaged 83.9 points scored and 78.6 points allowed during this stretch, indicating their offensive prowess.
At home, Cal State Northridge had a strong record of 4-1 in their last five games, while UC Irvine's away performance showed a 3-3 record in their last six away games. This context added to the anticipation surrounding the fixture, as the Matadors aimed to extend their winning streak and solidify their position in the league standings.
In terms of head-to-head meetings, the Anteaters had a slight edge with a record of 2-1 against the Matadors in their last three encounters. Their most recent matchup on December 7, 2025, ended in an 85-71 victory for UC Irvine, while Cal State Northridge had previously won 84-72 on February 21, 2025. This history set the stage for a compelling rematch.
Injury reports indicated that both teams were relatively healthy, allowing them to field their strongest lineups. This factor contributed to the high stakes of the game, as both teams sought to capitalize on their full rosters.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had the Matadors favored by 1.5 points, with a total set at 153.5. The odds reflected the close nature of the matchup, with the home moneyline at -125.0 and the away moneyline at 105.0. This setup indicated a competitive game, aligning with the expectations of fans and analysts alike.
As the game progressed, it was evident that both teams were determined to claim victory. The scoring plays were crucial in the second half, with several lead changes and clutch performances. Notable moments included Joshua O'Garro's layup that put UC Irvine ahead, followed by crucial free throws from Tama Isaac that helped the Anteaters maintain their lead late in the game. Despite a valiant effort from the Matadors, including a late push to regain the lead, they ultimately fell short.
The conditions of the game were favorable, with a lively crowd supporting both teams and contributing to an electric atmosphere. Fans witnessed a thrilling contest that showcased the talent and resilience of both squads.
In conclusion, the UC Irvine Anteaters' victory over the Cal State Northridge Matadors was a testament to their competitive edge and ability to perform under pressure. The final score of 68-67 not only highlights the close nature of the game but also sets the stage for future encounters between these two teams.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | CSUN -1.5 | 153.5 o -112 / u -108 | UC Irvine Anteaters +105 · Cal State Northridge Matadors -125 |
Leaders
- PointsJoshua O'Garro17Cal State Northridge Matadors
- AssistsJosiah Davis6Cal State Northridge Matadors
- ReboundsJoshua O'Garro10Cal State Northridge Matadors
- PointsJurian Dixon14UC Irvine Anteaters
- AssistsJovan Jester Jr.7UC Irvine Anteaters
- ReboundsKyle Evans6UC Irvine Anteaters
Recent form
Cal State Northridge Matadors
Last 10: 8-2Streak W783.9 scored · 78.6 allowed per game4-1 at home
- 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
- L80-87vs Long Beach State BeachJan 18
- W84-79at UC San Diego TritonsJan 16
UC Irvine Anteaters
Last 10: 6-4Streak L175.4 scored · 69.5 allowed per game3-3 away
- L69-71vs UC San Diego TritonsFeb 22
- W69-58at Long Beach State BeachFeb 20
- W86-65vs Cal State Fullerton TitansFeb 15
- L73-79at Cal Poly MustangsFeb 13
- L79-84at UC Santa Barbara GauchosFeb 8
- W78-62vs Cal State Bakersfield RoadrunnersFeb 6
- W87-76vs Hawai'i Rainbow WarriorsJan 30
- W61-59at UC San Diego TritonsJan 25
- W80-66at UC Riverside HighlandersJan 23
- L72-75at UC Davis AggiesJan 17
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 | UC Irvine Anteaters | Cal State Northridge Matadors |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 27-58 | 25-61 |
| Field goal % | 47 | 41 |
| Three-pointers | 5-16 | 4-19 |
| Three-point % | 31 | 21 |
| Free throws | 9-11 | 13-21 |
| Free throw % | 82 | 62 |
| Rebounds | 33 | 37 |
| Offensive rebounds | 8 | 15 |
| Defensive rebounds | 25 | 22 |
| Assists | 21 | 10 |
| Steals | 14 | 10 |
| Blocks | 8 | 6 |
| Turnovers | 18 | 17 |
| Team turnovers | 3 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 19 | 16 |
| Fast-break points | 13 | 16 |
| Points in the paint | 34 | 40 |
| Fouls | 14 | 13 |
| Largest lead | 12 | 3 |
| Lead changes | 9 | 9 |
| Time in front | 68 | 25 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half38-31Joshua O'Garro makes 24-foot three point step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half38-33Josiah Davis makes driving layup
- 2nd Half40-33Derin Saran makes 10-foot jumper
- 2nd Half40-34Josiah Davis makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half40-35Josiah Davis makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half40-37Josiah Davis makes layup
- 2nd Half40-38Josiah Davis makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half40-40Joshua O'Garro makes 3-foot alley oop dunk (Josiah Davis assists)
- 2nd Half41-40Andre Henry makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half42-40Andre Henry makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half44-40Jovan Jester Jr. makes layup
- 2nd Half46-40Andre Henry makes layup (Harrison Carrington assists)
- 2nd Half46-42Grady Lewis makes layup
- 2nd Half48-42Harrison Carrington makes 5-foot dunk (Jovan Jester Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half48-44Josiah Davis makes driving layup
- 2nd Half50-44Andre Henry makes 13-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half52-44Andre Henry makes layup (Jovan Jester Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half52-46Larry Hughes II makes 13-foot step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half52-48Jordan Brinson makes 9-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half52-49Larry Hughes II makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half52-50Larry Hughes II makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half52-53Larry Hughes II makes 25-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half55-53Derin Saran makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jovan Jester Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half55-55Joshua O'Garro makes layup
- 2nd Half56-55Jovan Jester Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half57-55Jovan Jester Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half58-55Harrison Carrington makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half58-57Mahmoud Fofana makes layup (Josiah Davis assists)
- 2nd Half60-57Harrison Carrington makes layup (Jovan Jester Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half60-59Joshua O'Garro makes layup (Josiah Davis assists)
- 2nd Half62-59Kyle Evans makes layup (Andre Henry assists)
- 2nd Half62-61Mahmoud Fofana makes layup (Larry Hughes II assists)
- 2nd Half62-63Joshua O'Garro makes layup (Mahmoud Fofana assists)
- 2nd Half63-63Tama Isaac makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half64-63Tama Isaac makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half64-65Josiah Davis makes layup (Mahmoud Fofana assists)
- 2nd Half64-66Larry Hughes II makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half64-67Larry Hughes II makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half66-67Jurian Dixon makes 18-foot pullup jump shot (Andre Henry assists)
- 2nd Half68-67Derin Saran makes layup (Tama Isaac assists)
Win probability
Above the line favours Cal State Northridge Matadors, below favours UC Irvine Anteaters.
Venue
- Premier America Credit Union ArenaNorthridge, CA
- Attendance1487
- OfficialsLee Cassell, Bret Smith, Chance Moore
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