Boxscore

Seattle, WA - It was a fairy tale ending for a Seattle native. Senior Melvin Jones, playing in his final game as a Portland State Viking, saved one of his best games for last in front of the home folks. Jones racked up a season-high 25 points in leading the Vikings to an 81-71 win over Seattle University at Key Arena.

Jones was just two points shy of his career high, hitting 7-11 from the field, 4-6 from three-point range and 7-8 at the line. He added four rebounds and four assists in 32 minutes of play.

The Viking win completed their season at 14-16 overall. PSU improved over last year's 13-19 mark despite having to overcome a handful of injuries to key players.

The Vikings staked themselves to a lead in the first half. The largest advantage was seven at 29-22 when Alonzo Brandon buried a three-pointer with 5:21 left in the half.

PSU led 34-30 at halftime after hitting 13-26 field goals (.500) and 6-11 from three-point range (.545). Jones had three trifectas at halftime and 11 points at intermission, making four of five shots overall.

Seattle's Alex Jones kept the Redhawks in the game with 13 points and three rebounds by halftime.
 
The Redhawks scored the first eight points of the second half to take a brief lead. The teams played a close game for the next few minutes, then Melvin Jones hit a pair of jump shots in a decisive 12-0 run. That put the Vikings ahead 60-48 with 4:23 to play. In the run, PSU held Seattle without a basket for nearly five minutes.

All five Viking seniors contributed in their final game in game. Phil Nelson hit four three-pointers for 12 points, including three straight during a key stretch midway through the second half. Paul Guede had nine points in 25 minutes off the bench. Despite foul trouble limiting him to 11 minutes, Tree Thomas scored four points. Brandon made the first-half three-pointer and had a rebound.

Junior forward Chehales Tapscott filled up the boxscore with 10 points, four rebounds, four blocked shots, three assists and three steals.

The Vikings shot 27-52 for the game (.519) and hit 11-22 from three-point range (.500).

Alex Jones finished with 21 points to lead Seattle. Aaron Broussard and Carter Sterling each had 18 points. Seattle completed its season at 11-20.

GAME NOTES: Jones had 23 points against Seattle when Portland State beat Redhawks in Portland, 83-76, on Dec. 1… Thursday's win was the first by a Viking team in Seattle against the Redhawks (1-6). The series is now tied 7-7 all-time… the Vikings ended a seven-game road losing streak to finish 2-11 on the road this year.