In the NCAA first round game, the 15th-seeded Matadors were heavy underdogs against No. 2-seeded Memphis. As the Matadors entered the arena from the locker room, (being officially welcomed by the announcer) they were greeted with only a few cheers from their small fanbase. The Memphis Tigers came out early and took over the Matadors entrance. As the game got underway, the Matadors, playing in Kansas City, Missouri at the Sprint Center, hit a three-pointer to start the scoring. The Matadors trailed by only two points at the half. Continuing to surprise, CSUN stuck with Memphis throughout the second half as well. With approximately ten minutes left in the game, the Matadors hit a three pointer that brought the capacity crowd to its feet and gave them a five-point lead. With about three minutes left, the Tigers hit a three pointer that put them up five. As Northridge brought the ball up, the Tigers stole it and made another shot. The Matadors lost by eleven points (81–70).