NORTHRIDGE, Calif. – The Portland Pilots pulled off a thrilling 80-77 comeback win against Cal State Northridge in non-conference men's basketball action Saturday at The Matadome. The Pilots trailed by as much as 18 points in the second half, but sophomore guard JoJo Walker sparked Portland with a career-high 23 points and seven assists.

The Pilots (2-2) outscored CSUN 53-36 in the second half, shot 61 percent from the field in the period and made all seven three-pointers attempted to complete the victory.

The decision came down to the final seconds as sophomore guard Marcus Shaver Jr. made a pair of free throws to put the Pilots up three with 4.0 seconds remaining. Freshman center Hugh Hogland, who made numerous clutch plays down the stretch, stole the ensuing inbounds pass and ran out the clock to clinch the win.

Walker made it two straight games with career-highs in scoring. He erupted for 22 points last Saturday against North Texas and did one better against the Matadors (0-3). Walker scored 15 points in the decisive second half. He was 8-of-14 from the field, 6-of-8 from three-point range, and dished out seven assists with no turnovers.

Shaver Jr. battled through foul trouble and finished with 16 points and four steals, while sophomore forward Tahirou Diabate added 14 points and six rebounds. Hogland scored all seven of his points in the second half and grabbed six crucial rebounds.

CSUN led 41-27 at halftime and pushed the lead to 18 points early in the second half. Consecutive three-pointers and then a pair of steals and layups by Shaver Jr. brought Portland within 65-59. Walker then took over.

He buried back-to-back three-pointers to tie it up at 67 and then found Diabate for a go-ahead layup with 5:09 on the clock. Hogland capped an 18-4 run with a layup and dunk, again assisted by Walker, for a 73-69 lead. Walker also grabbed an offensive rebound and found Diabate with a no-look pass for another layup and 75-70 edge.

Franklin Porter hit a tough pull-up jumper to maintain the five-point lead, but Terrell Gomez made four straight free throws to make it 77-76 with 13.1 seconds left. Walker was fouled and made 1-of-2 at the line and then Hogland appeared to draw an offensive foul in the paint, but the referees went to the replay monitor and reversed the call. Lamine Diane made 1-of-2 free throws to set up the final sequence.

Portland finished the game at 48 percent overall and 10-of-18 from three-point range.

Gomez paced the Matadors with 25 points, while Diane added 21 points and 12 rebounds.

CSUN had a 41-36 rebounding advantage for the game, shot 46 percent overall and made 8-of-18 three-pointers.

Portland returns to the Chiles Center to host four games next week beginning on Monday at 7 p.m. versus Lewis and Clark. USC Upstate, Cal Poly and Texas State will join the Pilots for the Portland Classic with doubleheaders scheduled for Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. For complete schedule, game coverage and ticket information, visit www.PortlandPilots.com.