Northridge Has Surprise For Top Seed

Big Sky/Big West

Giant-killing Cal State Northridge, with clutch performances from Lucky Grundy, Keith Higgins and Derrick Higgins down the stretch, knocked off top seed Northern Arizona 93-84 Friday night to advance to the finals of the Big Sky Conference tournament.

The Matadors (14-14) were No. 6 coming in, and had to beat defending champion Montana State and the Lumberjacks to reach a date tonight against Montana. They did it with a 28-9 run in the last 6 minutes.

Montana 81, Weber St. 56

Ryan Dick had 16 points and nine rebounds in 23 minutes as the Grizzlies (20-10) avenged a pair of regular-season losses to the Wildcats (15-13).

Big Sky women

Montana St. 72, Idaho St. 61

Blythe Hommes had 23 points, including a 3-pointer that gave Montana State the lead for good, as the Bobcats (18-10) defeated the Bengals (15-12) to advance to the Big Sky title game at Missoula.

Montana 73, Northern Arizona 42

The Grizzlies (24-3) held the Lumberjacks (17-11) without a field goal for the game’s 6 minutes, leaving little doubt as to the outcome.

Big West men

Pacific 68, Boise State 52

Corey Anders scored 20 points and Mark Boelter had 17 as the Tigers (22-5), bidding for their first Big West tournament championship in 18 years, reached the semifinals at Reno, Nev.

Utah State 81, UCSB 66

Marcus Saxon scored 25 points to lead the Aggies (20-8) past the Gauchos (12-15).

Nevada 80, Cal St. Fullerton 55

Faron Hand scored 16 points and three teammates reached double figures as the Wolf Pack (19-8) toppled the Titans (13-14) to reach the semis.

New Mex. St. 88, Long Beach 76

Louis Richardson and Enoch Davis each scored 18 points as the Aggies (19-8) defeated the 49ers (13-14).