Boxscore

Missoula, MT - Charles Odum and Tree Thomas combined for 42 points, but it wasn't enough to lead the Vikings to victory as Montana beat Portland State, 77-70, at Dahlberg Arena.

Both players had career-highs for the Vikings as Odum scored 24 and Thomas had 18.

Montana had not allowed an opponent to score more than 67 points in the last 15 games. The Vikings accomplished that, but still came up short.

PSU led 32-30 at halftime in a game that was close throughout. Montana regained the lead in the second half and held its biggest advantage at 62-51 with 5:21 to play.

Still, the Vikings hung in. A pair of Chris Harriel free throws with 50 seconds to play pulled the Vikings within four at 70-66. But, Will Cherry made six straight free throws in the final 24 seconds to secure the game for Montana.

There were 10 ties and eight lead changes overall.

PSU dropped to 9-8 on the season, 2-3 in the Big Sky Conference. Montana maintains the league's best overall record at 13-5. The Griz are in second place with a 5-1 mark.

Odum hit 9-14 field goals, including 3-3 from three-point range for 24 points. Thomas made 7-10 shots for his 18 points. Harriel had 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Vikings.

Montana center Brian Qvale had 17 points, 14 rebounds and four blocked shots. Cherry scored 19 for the Griz.

PSU shot just .406 from the floor (26-64), while Montana shot .509 (28-55). Odum and Thomas were a combined 16-24 shooting, while the rest of the Vikings made only 10-40 shots.

GAME NOTES: Odum's previous career high was 21 points, Thomas' previous high was 13… Odum is averaging 17.8 points in six games as a starter while shooting .650 from the field, .688 from three-point range and .760 at the line…. Harriel had his second double-double of the season, and has scored in double figures in a league-high 15 straight games… PSU returns home for a Thursday night game at the Stott Center. The Vikings host Weber State at 7:05 p.m. PSU then hosts Northern Arizona on Saturday at Stott in a 5:05 p.m. game.