CSUN Blows 11-point Lead in Home Hoops Loss

The University of Pacific fought back from an 11-point first half deficit to post a 74-64 come-from-behind victory over host Cal State Northridge in the Big West Conference opener for both teams on Tuesday night at The Matadome.

Cal State Northridge dominated the entire first half against the Tigers. With the Matadors up 20-19 with 6:21 left in the first half, CSUN outscored the visitors, 11-2, to take a commanding 30-19 lead with 3:17 left on the clock.

Cal State Northridge led at halftime, 32-27.

But Pacific took complete control in the second half, shooting .667 and outscoring the Matadors, 47-32. Cal State Northridge led, 39-29, with 17:12 remaining in the game. However, a 16-4 run by Pacific put the Tigers in front to stay at 45-43 with 13:13 remaining.

Eventually, the lead grew to as many as 13 points, 67-54, with 4:52 left on the game clock.

Reserve guard Jose Rivera provided a hefty load in the scoring department for Pacific, particularly in the second half. For the game, Rivera hit a career-high 18 points, including six 3-pointers in seven attempts. Four of those three-pointers were made in the second half. Center Sam Willard collected a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds along with four assists in 32 minutes.

Lenny Daniel led Cal State Northridge with 16 points and eleven rebounds.

Pacific raised its overall record to 8-5 and 1-0 in the Big West Conference. Cal State Northridge fell to 3-9 overall and 0-1 in the conference.

Cal State Northridge hosts UC Davis on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. at The Matadome. The Aggies opened their league campaign with an 88-72 victory at Cal State Fullerton.