Krystal Ward

Staff writer

NORTHRIDGE,California | Men’s basketball (3-1) fell, 84-82, to the California State University-Northridge Matadors in a nail-biter Saturday night.

The Matadors took a 72-70 lead with four minutes left in the second half. Porter hit two three-pointers to cut the lead to 83-81 with eight seconds left in the game, but the Matadors were able to hold on for the victory.

“It was a game of runs, but it seemed like we controlled the game, but we just didn’t close it out,” NIU head coach Mark Montgomery said. “The last four or five minutes, there was a loose rebound we didn’t get, an unfortunate block [foul] on Marin [Maric], but we still had our opportunities.”

Sophomore guard Laytwan Porter led the Huskies with a career-high 19 points and shot 6-10 from the field. Porter also hit all three of his attempts from beyond the arc.

Senior center Marin Maric and sophomore forward Jaylen Key both scored 14 points. 12 of Key’s points came in the first half. Maric also grabbed seven rebounds, six of which were offensive.

Senior guard Dontel Highsmith also scored in double-figures for the Huskies with 16 points on 6-19 shooting.

NIU freshman forward Noah McCarty saw his first action of the season, playing 10 minutes and grabbing six boards, four of which were offensive.

NIU led 11-4 after the first four minutes of the game, and with seven minutes left to play in the half, the Huskies led 24-20 and Key already dropped 11 points.

The Matadors went on a 7-0 run to tie the game at 32 with two minutes before halftime, but NIU went into the break with a 36-34 lead.