2OT thriller win for Jags in home opener

It was a complete swing of emotions at The Ridge on Monday night. The Lady Jags claimed a relatively easy 30-point win over the visiting Homewood Patriots. The Jags flipped that upside down and everyone in attendance was treated to FREE basketball, not once, but twice, with the Jags coming away with a 3-point win.

Northridge got off to somewhat of a slow start, trailing 15-7 at the end of one quarter of play. That changed in the second, with the Jags lighting up the scoreboard for 23 points, while allowing only nine. At one point, the Jags went on a 13-0 run, taking a 20-15 lead at the 4:41 mark of the second quarter. That run turned the tables and gave the Jags a 30-24 lead at the half.

Homewood made a run of their own to knot the score at 39-39 to end the third quarter. The Jags and battled in the fourth quarter, and the Patriots found themselves at the line, leading 56-54 with 3.7 seconds to go in regulation. After making the first free throw, the Patriot shooter missed the second attempt and Andrew Matthews grabbed the rebound just shy of the free throw line. Matthews raced to the stage end of the court and launched a shot from half way between the time line and 3-point arc. The ball barely touched the back side of the rim and fell safely in the basket as the horn sounded. And pandoliriium unfolded in the corner of the court, as Northridge students spilled over in a fury! FREE BASKETBALL for ALL!!

The second overtime saw both teams put seven on the board, for a 64-64 tie and more free basketball.

The Jags put 10 points on the board and held the Patriots to seven, to claim the 74-71 thriller to start the 2025-2026 basketball season at The Ridge.

Mize Parker led the Jags with 17 points. Matthews totaled 14 for the game. Garrett Ingram tallied nine points. Mayson Elam, Tavares Jones and Miller James had eight points each. Elia Fleming had five points in his Northridge debut. Adam Hall had three points and John Marshall Crew had two.