March 19th, 2009 
Stephen Rhodes 
Posted in 
Despite tragedy and heartbreak just to get into the 2009 NCAA Tournament, the Cal State-Northridge Matadors had their hands full as they went up against the Memphis Tigers on Thursday in Kansas City, MO; the Matadors obviously did not foresee the offensive explosion of Tigers guard Roburt Sallie; Sallie exploded for 35 points as Memphis disposed of pesky Cal State-Northridge 81-70.
The Matadors concentrated their defensive efforts on the Tigers’ more productive shooters and held a six-point lead with a hair over 10 minutes left in the game, courtesy of a basket by Vincent Cordell; But Sallie would hit a 3-pointer – one of 10 he would make this game – and then Antonio Anderson started a 9-0 Memphis run that would be the deciding factor as they managed to hold off Cal State-Northridge.
Memphis’ high scorer was the aforementioned Sallie with 35 points (including ten 3-pointers), 4 rebounds, an assist, 3 steals and a block while Tyreke Evans added 15 with 3 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals; Anderson scored 13 with 4 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 steals but committed 6 turnovers.
Cal State-Northridge was led by Rodrigue Mels with 15 points (including three treys), a rebound, 2 assists and 2 steals while Tremaine Towensend and Kenny Daniels added 14 each – with Townsend grabbing 9 rebounds along with 2 steals and a block while Daniels grabbed 4 rebounds, dished out an assist along with a steal; Mark Hill chipped in 13 with 2 rebounds, 6 assists with a steal. With the win, Memphia will now face the winner of the California-Maryland game on Saturday.
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