LOS ANGELES (AP) — Josh Greene scored 21 points and Cal State Northridge continued its recent surge with a 70-61 victory over UC Irvine on Thursday night.

The Matadors (13-11, 4-8 Big West) have won three straight games since losing leading scorer Stephan Hicks to a knee injury, and have won four of their past five.

Trevone Williams added 14 points for Northridge, Stephen Maxwell had 11 points and 11 rebounds, and Donovan Johnson also scored 11.

Irvine (12-12, 6-5) got 15 points from Daman Starring, 12 from Chris McNealy and 10 from Alex Young.

The Matadors, who trailed by 15 in the first half, rallied behind Greene after the break. He hit back-to-back 3-pointers to give Irvine its first lead of the game, 47-46, with 11:31 remaining. With 2 minutes to go and the game tied at 57, Greene hit back-to-back 3s again and followed that by making 3 of 4 free throws to put the Matadors ahead 66-58 with 27 seconds left.