Portland, OR - Playing its first home game in three weeks, Portland State got the tempo to its liking and took advantage, beating Northern Arizona, 82-62, in a Big Sky Conference game at the Stott Center.

The Vikings put on full court trapping pressure to increase the pace and it paid off. PSU forced 23 turnovers, then turned them into 24 points, as well as scoring 22 points on the fast break. It didn't hurt that the Vikings shot 62% from the field as well (31-50).

"It's feels good to be at home. It makes a little bit of a difference," said Viking Coach Tyler Geving. "More than anything we defended tonight and that was pretty impressive. Our guys did a good job." 

Portland State improved its record to 7-8, 1-2 in the Big Sky Conference. PSU is 5-0 at home this year, but had lost its last four games - all on the road.

Junior guard Lateef McMullan scored seven points in an 11-0 run, as PSU jumped to an 18-5 lead in the opening moments.

Foul trouble slowed the Vikings though as all three front line players saw limited minutes in the first half. That allowed the 'Jacks to stay close at halftime, 36-28.

With added pressure in the second half, PSU forced seven turnovers in the first seven minutes. They hit 10-11 of shots and led 61-39 with 12:30 to play. Junior guard Michael Harthun scored 10 points in the 25-11 run that put the game away.

Portland State's lead grew to as many as 28 and the Vikings coasted to a much-needed win.

Senior guard Charles Odum led the Vikings with 18 points, hitting 6-8 from the field. Harthun and McMullan each scored 12 points. They combined to hit 10-15 shots.

"When we get consistent guard play, we have a good chance to win," said Geving, acknowledging his starting guard trio's 42 points, 10 assists and five steals.

"It felt good to come out and get a conference win. We needed that," said Harthun.

Senior forward Chehales Tapscott added 13 points, a game-high eight rebounds and three steals.

The Viking guards also held NAU's leading scorer, James Douglas, without a point. The Lumberjacks shot .414 from the field to go with the 23 turnovers. 

Michael Dunn scored 16 points off the bench to lead Northern Arizona.

NAU dropped to 5-10 on the season, 1-2 in the Big Sky Conference.

GAME NOTES: Northern Arizona Interim Head Coach Dave Brown remained at the team hotel due to illness. Assistant Coach Jay Collins led the team… Portland State ended a four-game losing streak to the Lumberjacks that dated back two seasons... the Vikings' 7-14 three-point shooting was its best percentage of the season (.500)… Portland State will host first-place Weber State (3-0) on Saturday night at the Stott Center. The nation's leading scorer, Damian Lillard (25.2 ppg), plays for the Wildcats. Tip-off is 7:05 p.m. The game airs on Freedom 970 AM and www.freedom970.com. A live video stream is available at www.b2tv.com.