Northridge Adds to Pacific’s Streak

Christian Maraker and Tyler Newton each scored 15 points, and No. 19-ranked Pacific made four consecutive three-point baskets during a key second-half stretch to defeat Cal State Northridge, 75-61, Saturday night at Stockton for its 19th consecutive victory.

The Tigers (23-2 overall and 16-0 in the Big West Conference) ended a three-game winning streak by the Matadors (15-11, 11-5).

The Tigers’ winning streak, which started in mid-December, is the second-longest in the nation behind top-ranked Illinois (28-0).

Devin White scored 11 of his 17 points in the first half and had four assists for the Matadors, who had won six of seven since a 66-62 loss to Pacific on Jan. 27.

Maraker didn’t have a basket until 5 minutes 30 seconds remained in the first half and took only two shots before halftime.

Pacific already had clinched its second conference regular-season title in a row and, after games this week at Cal State Fullerton and UC Riverside, will be the top-seeded team in the conference tournament March 11-12 at Anaheim.

The Tigers beat Northridge for the fifth consecutive time, and fifth in a row at home for a 9-2 lead in the overall series. The Matadors are winless in five games at Stockton.

Long Beach State 71, Idaho 58 -- Kevin Houston scored 13 points and the 49ers (8-19, 5-11) held off the Vandals (8-20, 6-11) by making 16 of 21 free throws in the second half.

The victory ended a 22-game road losing streak dating to last season.

UC Santa Barbara 58, UC Riverside 54 -- Josh Davis made a leaning, seven-foot bank shot to end a tie with 48 seconds left at Santa Barbara.

The Gauchos (10-14, 7-8) clinched a berth in the conference tournament.

Rickey Porter led Riverside (9-17, 4-12) with 20 points.

Cal State Fullerton 78, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo 76 -- Yaphett King’s three-point play with 9.1 seconds to go lifted the Titans at San Luis Obispo.

The Mustangs (5-20, 3-13) rallied to take a 74-73 lead on Glenn Jones’ layup and free throw with 1:46 to go. King and Ralphy Holmes each scored 21 points for the Titans (17-8, 11-5).

Utah State 87, UC Irvine 49 -- Jaycee Carroll scored 22 points to lift the host Aggies (21-7, 12-5).

The Anteaters (13-12, 6-10) were led in scoring by Aaron Fitzgerald with 17 points, all in the first half.