Pocatello, ID - Chehales Tapscott and Charles Odum carried Portland State to another road victory as the Vikings won at Idaho State, 67-54, and moved up in the Big Sky Conference standings.

The Vikings improved to 6-6 in the Big Sky and are now tied with ISU and Montana State for third place. 

Portland State also won its second game in a row and fourth in the last five games on the road. PSU is 12-12 this season.

Tapscott scored 15 points, had a career-high tying 16 rebounds and two blocked shots in the win. Odum led the Vikings with 18 points, making 10-12 at the free throw line.

Portland State jumped to a 19-9 lead in the first seven minutes behind seven points from Odum. PSU took a 29-20 lead into halftime, holding the Bengals to just eight field goals and 33% shooting.

The lead never dipped below seven as the Vikings were ahead for the last 38 minutes of the game. Although they struggled from three-point field range (1-14), they made up for it at the free throw line, hitting 20-25 (.800). Defensively, they shut down the Bengals, allowing just .370 shooting and outrebounded them 37-30.

In addition to Tapscott, the inside play was solid with 10 points and four rebounds from center Nate Lozeau, and 11 points and five rebounds off the bench from post Renado Parker. Those three combined to make 14-20 from the field (.700) and 8-11 at the line (.727).

Melvin Morgan paced Idaho State with 18 points. Abner Moreira added 11 points and 10 rebounds.

The Bengals are now 8-16 on the season. ISU had won five of seven games going into the contest.

GAME NOTES: With six Big Sky Conference wins, the Vikings already have more than last year… PSU is now 5-9 on the road… the Vikings have swept the season series with Idaho State, but were swept in the season series by Montana State... Portland State returns home for a Big Sky Conference game next Wednesday night at the Stott Center. The Vikings host Sacramento State in a 7:05 p.m. game that can be heard on Freedom 970 AM and www.freedom970.com and seen at www.b2tv.com.