Richard Barton scored 22 points to lead Southern Utah State to a 94-79 victory over Cal-Northridge in college basketball Friday night to put the Thunderbirds' record at 6-7.
Jemarl Baker had 18 for the Division II Matadors of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (4-8).Leading 37-34 at halftime, the independent Thunderbirds outscored the visitors 12-4 in the opening 3:00 of the second half and led 49-38 when Wade Wyatt scored on a layup with 17:04 to play. The Matadors cut the lead to 60-56 when Kendell McDaniels scored with 10:33 to play.
But SUSC went on a 14-4 run led by Peter Johnson's seven points and led 74-60 with 7:26 remaining.
SUSC broke quickly from the starting gate and led 18-8 when Kelvin Lee sank a 3-point goal with 9:40 remaining in the first half. But Northridge countered with a 22-8 spurt and led 30-26 with 3:14 left in the half. Baker scored seven during the run.
The Thunderbirds took the lead for good when Barton scored a layup and two free throws during an 11-4 run in the final 3:00 of the first half.