Monday, November 23rd, 8:00 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: E.A. Diddle Arena (8,100) -- Bowling Green, Kentucky. Television: None. Home Record: Northridge 0-0, W. Kentucky 0-0. Away Record: Northridge 0-0, W. Kentucky 0-1. Neutral Record: Northridge 0-0, W. Kentucky 1-0. Conference Record: Northridge 0-0, W. Kentucky 0-0. Series Record: First- ever meeting.

GAME NOTES: The Cal State Northridge Matadors and the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers wrap up their time in the NIT Season Tip-Off this evening with a bout in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Cal State Northridge, a member of the Big West Conference, is led by head coach Bobby Braswell. The team enters tonight's contest with a 1-2 record, but the lone victory came in the most recent outing against Texas State last Tuesday. That 85-82 triumph took some of the sting off losses to Purdue and TCU to open the campaign.

Western Kentucky opened the season with a 69-65 victory over UW-Milwaukee, but the club fell to 1-1 with a 71-60 loss to LSU last Tuesday. The Hilltoppers have been idle since that contest, so expect Ken McDonald's club to be well rested this evening. As usual, WKU is expected to challenge for the Sun Belt Conference title in 2009-10.

This game marks the first-ever meeting between Cal State Northridge and Western Kentucky on the hardwood.

Cal State Northridge connected on 53.6 percent of its field goal attempts in the most recent victory over Texas State, including a 9-of-18 effort from three-point range. The Matadors turned the ball over 23 times and misfired on half of their 32 free throws, so they were somewhat fortunate to win the game. Kenny Daniels was sensational in the triumph, as he poured in a career-high 27 points to go along with six assists and four steals. Willie Galick tallied 13 points, Raymond posted 12 points, and Vinnie McGhee added 10 points. Daniels is scoring 17.0 ppg through three outings, and Kevin Menner adds 11.3 ppg. The Matadors are averaging 71.3 ppg, but they are allowing 84.7 ppg to the opposition.

Western Kentucky got 25 points from Sergio Kerusch against LSU last time out, as he shot 9-of-15 from the floor, including 5-of-7 from three-point range. Unfortunately, Kerusch didn't get much help from his teammates, as all other Hilltoppers combined for only 35 points. A.J. Slaughter netted 11 points, but his 3-of-17 showing from the field was downright embarrassing. WKU finished with a mere six assists and shot 34.6 percent from the floor. An 18-8 deficit in points from the foul line didn't help the cause, and neither did a 40-31 rebounding disadvantage. In the opening win over UW-Milwaukee, Slaughter poured in 30 points on 10-of-16 shooting, so his effort against LSU wasn't typical. He is considered to be the best player in the Sun Belt Conference by many players and coaches.

Expect a bounce-back effort from Slaughter tonight, as he will dominate the Matadors. Western Kentucky should win this game by double figures.

Predicted Outcome

Western Kentucky 76, Cal State Northridge 62