Big Shots by Harris, Heinle Lift Matadors

With the shot clock running down and momentum slipping away, Rico Harris calmly made a three-point basket to get Cal State Northridge over the hump Thursday night.

Harris’ basket with 1:12 to play gave the Matadors a five-point lead that held up in an 80-75 victory over Idaho State in a Big Sky Conference basketball game at Holt Arena.

Harris, a reserve forward, followed with two free throws with 34 seconds left and finished with 18 points, helping Northridge extend its winning streak to four games.

“Rico really stepped up and got it done for us tonight,” Coach Bobby Braswell said. “We have a lot of confidence in his shooting from the outside.”

Center Brian Heinle helped the Matadors (13-8, 5-4 in conference play) rebound from a four-point deficit with three three-point baskets in the second half. Heinle finished with team-high totals of 22 points and nine rebounds.

“Brian and Rico are probably the two best shooters on our team,” Braswell said. “I always tell those guys to take the shot if it’s open.”

Heinle made three of seven three-point shots, and Harris was two of three.

The Matadors began the game by making their first nine shots, including five dunks, to take a 21-11 lead. Harris highlighted the run with a three-pointer and a bank shot.

“Our composure in the first half started out great,” Braswell said. “We hit some big shots and established our press.”

Kevin Sweetwyne kick-started the Idaho State offense with seven points in 30 seconds to pull the Bengals into a tie, 27-27, with 6:21 left in the half.

Sweetwyne put the Bengals ahead, 34-30, on a baseline jumper before Northridge responded. Markus Carr hit two free throws to give the Matadors a 36-34 halftime lead.

Northridge outscored the Bengals, 44-41, in the second half, thanks in large part to Harris and Heinle.

“At the end of the game, our guys came through,” Braswell said. “We didn’t quit. We knew this was a big game for [Idaho State] and somehow we found a way to get it done.”

Guard Stephen Brown led Idaho State (4-15, 2-7) with 22 points.

Braswell called it a pivotal victory.

“We play five of our final eight [conference] games on the road and we needed to get this one,” he said. “This says a lot about the confidence of our team.”