Cal State Northridge 79, Portland State 78--The...

Cal State Northridge 79, Portland State 78--The Matadors, in a remarkable closing rally, overcame a 17-point second-half deficit in the final eight minutes and shocked the Vikings in a crucial Big Sky Conference game at the Matadome in Northridge.

Jeff Parris’ two free throws with 1:46 to play gave the Matadors a 75-74 lead, their first since early in the first half. Northridge took the lead for good, 77-76, on Andre Larry’s layup with 24 seconds to play, and Markus Carr made two free throws with 5.7 seconds left.

Northridge’s 24-6 closing run salvaged a poor overall performance and kept the Matadors (16-9, 8-6 in the Big Sky) two games ahead of Portland State (14-12, 6-8) and alone in fifth place with two games to play.

The Big Sky’s top six teams will compete in the conference tournament beginning March 9 at the home of the first-place team.

“That was an amazing comeback,” Carr said. “It seemed like we had enough time to do it and we did. It was a game of runs, and we made one hell of a run at the end.”

Northridge began its comeback by scoring 11 consecutive points, including a three-point basket from the top of the key by Brian Heinle, who led the Matadors with 19 points.

Heinle’s second three-point basket from the same spot pulled Northridge within 74-73 with 2:26 to play.