Northridge Has Road Resiliency

When you have struggled to win close games and road games as much as Cal State Northridge, you aren’t picky about your victories.

So the Matadors will ignore the fact that they nearly blew an 18-point lead in the final 3:35 on Saturday against Portland State, and just be happy with hanging on for an 80-76 Big Sky Conference victory.

“I don’t call that flirting [with danger],” Coach Bobby Braswell said. “I call that winning a road game. . . . They made their run and it was a difficult run, but our kids worked hard and made their free throws.”

Northridge made seven of eight free throws in the final 70 seconds to clinch the victory in front of 3,166 at the Rose Garden.

Northridge made 25 of 33 free throws in the game (75.8%), its second-highest percentage of the season.

Northridge had a 68-50 lead with 3:35 to play before Portland State began a furious rally.

The Vikings, who overcame a 13-point deficit in the final five minutes to upset Northern Arizona on Thursday night, played a full-court, ball-hawking defense and made some critical shots to pull within 74-72 with 33.5 seconds to play.

The key plays included a five-point play when Ryan Towne made a three-point shot and was fouled by Derrick Higgins after releasing the ball. Towne made both free throws to pull Portland State within 73-67 with 1:15 to play.

Northridge’s Kevin Taylor then lost the ball off an inbounds pass and Portland State’s Derek Nesland put in a layup to make it 73-69 with 1:10 on the clock.

After Trenton Cross hit one of two free throws with 54.3 seconds left to give Northridge a 74-69 lead, Towne drilled another three-point basket with 33.5 to play.

But that’s where Northridge stopped the bleeding.

The Matadors did not turn over the ball again and converted all six of their free throws. Keith Higgins intercepted a pass in the final seconds to seal the victory.

Northridge players, who have new confidence after winning their first close game of the season on Thursday night at Eastern Washington, said they never doubted they would hold on.

“In the huddle, we were telling everyone to keep their poise and be strong with the ball and knock down our free throws and layups when they gave them to us,” said Cross, who scored 18 points to share the team scoring lead with Taylor.

The Matadors are now virtually assured a spot in the six-team conference tournament, and they could still finish second and earn a first-round bye in the tournament.

Northridge (10-12, 6-6 in the Big Sky) trails Montana and Montana State (tied for second at 8-5 in conference) with four games to play.

“We’re not going to be just satisfied to get to the tournament,” Keith Higgins said. “We want a bye.”

Northridge led, 30-27, after a sloppy first half, but broke away early in the second half, boosted by a lineup Braswell started using in the last few games and that features Lucky Grundy at point guard and Cross, the other point guard, at shooting guard.

That lineup is small, but quick and aggressive on defense.

Having two good passers on the floor at once also helps the half-court offense.

The Matadors made seven of their first 12 shots in the second half to go up, 45-38, with 13:12 to play.

Portland State (9-15, 6-8) pulled within, 45-43, but Northridge then scored nine consecutive points to go ahead, 54-43, with 8:44 to play.

A few minutes later, the lead was 18 and the Matadors were on their way to a rout.

Or so they thought.

“Whether you win by 18 or one,” Keith Higgins said, “it’s still a W.”