Pacific 78, CS Northridge 73

2/8/2008 12:24 AM

STOCKTON, Calif. (AP) -Chad Troyer scored a career-high 30 points as Pacific moved into a tie for first place in the Big West Conference with a 78-73 overtime victory against Cal State Northridge on Thursday night.

Pacific made 7 of 8 free throws in the final two minutes to secure the win in a game that was tied 11 times and had 17 lead changes.

Northridge appeared to have the game in hand leading 69-67 with two seconds remaining in regulation and Jonathan Heard at the free throw line.

But Heard missed two free throws, and Michael Kirby scored on a jumper to beat the regulation buzzer as Pacific went the length of the floor in 1.5 seconds to send the game into overtime.

Anthony Brown had 11 points and a career-high 19 rebounds for Pacific (16-6, 7-2 Big West) to pull the Tigers even with Northridge (15-6, 7-2) atop the conference standings.

Steffan Johnson had 13 points and six assists for the Tigers, making two of Pacific's eight 3-pointers. Troyer had the other six, making 6 of 12 shots from beyond the arc, including four in the first half when he scored 22 points.

Deon Tresvant came off the bench to lead Northridge with 19 points. Jayme Miller scored 12 points and Tremaine Townsend had 12 points and 13 rebounds for the Matadors.

Troyer scored eight consecutive Pacific points to give the Tigers their biggest lead at 38-24 with seven minutes remaining in the first half, and Pacific's lead was at 51-40 after a 3-pointer by Troyer and dunk by Joe Ford three minutes into the second half.

But Northridge rallied with a 22-5 run and took a four-point lead with 3:50 remaining. Pacific scored the next two baskets to tie the game 66-66, setting the stage for a tight finish in regulation.