Box Score
Boxscore

Portland, OR - Portland State found a few missing ingredients on Saturday night as the Vikings defeated Sacramento State in a Big Sky Conference game at the Stott Center, 86-80.

The Vikings combined three-point shooting and an inside presence - something that hasn't occurred often this season - for a productive offensive night. PSU made eight three-pointers in the first half (12 for the game), then got 19 points in the second half from post Tree Thomas (29 for the game). The result was the most points the Vikings have scored in 13 starts.

PSU (11-10, 4-5) ended a two-game losing streak and extended a winning streak over the Hornets (5-16, 2-8) to eight games. The Vikings had averaged just 55 points in their previous two games, so a strong offensive performance was a welcome sight.

Leading 10-8 in the early-going, the Vikings went on a 14-2 run midway through the first half to break the game open. Six different Vikings scored in the run as PSU led 24-10 at the eight-minute mark.

Melvin Jones was the primary shooter in the opening period, hitting half of the Vikings' threes as he made four of six. Portland State made 8-18 overall in the half and led 42-24 at intermission.

The Vikings had 10 points off turnovers at half and held Sacramento State to just 9-29 shooting (.310). Meanwhile they committed just two turnovers.       

The only thing keeping the Hornets in the game in the second half was a strong effort on the offensive glass. Sacramento State scored 13 points on 12 offensive boards in the half. Still, PSU led by 14 with 4:05 to go. Some late turnovers allowed the Hornets to close the margin at the end of the game, but they never got closer than five points.

Thomas put on a remarkable performance as he posted a career-high 29 points - the most by any Viking this year. He was 9-16 from the field and 11-13 at the line. The 6-8 senior made 7-10 shots in the second half and 5-6 at the line. His previous career-high was 18 points two weeks ago at Montana.

Jones, who has struggled with his shooting at times this year, was deadly on this night. He hit 6-9 from the floor, including 5-7 from three-point range for 17 points. Charles Odum added 17 points, six rebounds and four assists.

Portland State shot 28-61 for the game (.459), 12-27 from three-point range (.444) and 18-23 at the line (.783). The Hornets were 27-64 from the field (.422) and 21-23 at the line (.913), but made only 5-20 three-pointers.

GAME NOTES: The last time a Viking scored more than 29 points was Dominic Waters' 32-point effort against Cal Poly in November of last year - a span of 49 games… Phil Nelson had his best game since coming back from a broken foot. The senior forward had a career-high nine rebounds, eight points, two assists, two steals and a blocked shot… Dane Johnson led the Vikings with six assists in 22 minutes off the bench… PSU missed Nate Lozeau (ankle) and Chehales Tapscott (knee) again as both sat out with injuries. Lozeau may return next week. Tapscott is out for three weeks after knee surgery… Portland State goes to Sacramento State for a game next Thursday. The Vikings play at first-place Northern Colorado on Saturday.