Boxscore

Portland, OR - For the second time in as many starts at the Stott Center,  the Portland State Vikings came up with a nail-biting win. PSU held off a hard-charging Seattle University team earning an 83-76 victory.

PSU improved to 4-1 on the season, winning its third straight game. Better yet, the Vikings avenged a pair of losses to the Redhawks in 2009-10. Seattle dropped to 3-7 this year.

The Vikings broke open a close game midway through the first half. Trailing 18-17, PSU was sparked by a series of five steals and went on a 16-2 run. PSU led 33-20 with 7:22 left in the half.

Forcing the Redhawks into 13 first-half turnovers, the Vikings took a 40-30 lead into the halftime locker room. Only a 14-point effort by Cervante Burrell in the first half kept Seattle alive.

Seattle used a 1-3-1 trapping zone to try to disrupt the Viking offense in the second half. PSU Coach Tyler Geving answered with a small lineup for much of the game, playing the 6-5 Chehales Tapscott and Paul Guede inside with three guards outside.

Some shaky ball-handling moments allowed the Redhawks back into the game. They closed the Viking lead to two on two occasions but never led.

Finally, PSU capitalized at the foul line, making 21 of 27 in the second half and 26 of 32 overall.

Melvin Jones led the Vikings with 23 points. Tapscott had his second double-double of the year with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Chris Harriel added 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists, while Charles Odum came off the bench for 12 points.

Burrell led five Redhawks in double figures with 20 points.

PSU won the battle of the boards, 42-33, including 21 on the offense glass.

GAME NOTES: Portland State has now won four in a row at home… the Vikings had only nine healthy bodies available. They played without Terry Coleman, who sat out with a lower left leg injury. His return is uncertain. Phil Nelson remains out with a left foot injury… Portland State travels to the University of Oregon for a Sunday game. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. The game can be heard on Freedom 970 AM and seen on Comcast Sports Net.