LOS ANGELES -- Stephen Maxwell scored 24 points on 9-for-14 shooting and grabbed 13 rebounds to help Cal State Northridge stay out of the Big West cellar with an 82-72 win over Cal State-Fullerton on Thursday night.

Stephan Hicks contributed 22 points and Aaron Parks had 12 for Northridge (8-22, 3-11), which hit 25 of 52 from the field and held a 26-10 advantage in made free throws. It was Maxwell's 12th double-double of the season.

The win kept Northridge from falling a half game behind last-place Fullerton (9-19, 1-12), which led much of the second half.

The Matadors edged into the lead with a 3-pointer from Hicks that made it 57-55 with 7:11 left. The bucket also sparked a 10-0 run fueled by Hicks and Maxwell that built a lead Northridge protected down the stretch.

Alex Harris led Fullerton with 18 points, Lanerryl Johnson added 16 and Steve McClellan 12.