Boxscore

Greeley, CO - Northern Colorado took sole possession of first place in the Big Sky Conference by beating Portland State 85-72 at Butler-Hancock Pavilion.

Devon Beitzel scored 15 points and had six assists to lead the Bears to the win. UNC improved to 13-9 overall and 9-2 in the Big Sky Conference.

The Vikings dropped their second game in a row and sixth in their last eight outings. PSU is now 11-12 overall, 4-7 in the Big Sky.

Portland State trailed 41-28 at halftime and, despite hitting eight straight three-pointers in the second half, couldn't make up any ground on the Bears.

Overall, PSU made 13-30 from three-point range. But they were overwhelmed on the boards, losing the rebounding battle 42-18. The Vikings clearly missed Chehales Tapscott, who was out with a knee injury for the fourth straight game. Tapscott ranks second in the Big Sky with 8.2 rebounds per game.

Tree Thomas had 13 points to lead the Vikings. Dane Johnson added a career-high 12 points and four assists and Charles Odum also scored 12 for PSU. 

Portland State had 15 turnovers in the game, which Northern Colorado turned into 29 points.

Northern Colorado shot .516 from the field, while the Vikings shot just .396.

GAME NOTES: PSU has now lost three straight games to the Bears… the Vikings are 1-9 on the road this season… Portland State hosts Idaho State next Thursday at the Stott Center. The game tips off at 7:05 p.m. and airs on Freedom 970 AM and www.970.am.