Northridge Falls Short in Double Overtime

Cal State Northridge overcame late deficits in regulation and overtime only to fall short against Portland State, 93-90, in a second overtime Thursday night before a season-high home crowd of 1,067.

Two free throws by Brian Heinle with 42.3 seconds left in the second overtime pulled Northridge within 91-90, and guard Carl Holmes appeared to give the Matadors possession with 16.5 seconds when he pried the ball loose from Brian Towne near halfcourt.

However, Andre Larry of Northridge fouled Derek Nesland in the scramble for the ball and Nesland made one of two free throws. Jason Crowe missed a running shot from the key with five seconds left and Reggie Ball made a free throw a second later.

Crowe, who played his best game of the season in only his fourth start, couldn’t get a shot off in the last four seconds.

It was the second overtime loss in three Big Sky Conference games for Northridge (9-6, 1-2).

Derrick Higgins scored 18 points and Crowe had 15 points and six assists for Northridge. Taplar Mvogo had 21 points and was one of six players for Portland State (9-3, 2-0) to score in double figures.