Rivera on a roll, Pacific nips CS Northridge 62-61

STOCKTON, Calif. (AP) Ross Rivera scored a career-high 26 points, including 17 consecutive Pacific points to end the game, leading the Tigers to a 62-61 victory over Cal State Northridge on Saturday night.

Rivera tipped in a missed shot with 1.9 seconds remaining for the winning points as Pacific (10-14, 6-6 Big West) rallied from a 12-point halftime deficit.

Rivera's 3-pointer with 51 seconds remaining had given Pacific a 60-59 lead before Stephen Maxwell's dunk put Northridge ahead with 23 seconds to play during a see-saw finish.

Josh Greene scored 19 points to lead Northridge (6-17, 2-10). Maxwell had 13 points and eight rebounds and Vinnie McGhee scored 11 for the Matadors.

Pacific began the second half with a 10-0 run while holding Northridge scoreless for five minutes to get back in the game. There were seven lead changes over the final 10 minutes before the dramatic finish.

Updated February 12, 2012