Box Score
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Portland, OR - A long-awaited three-point shooting barrage sparked Portland State to an 87-69 Big Sky Conference win at the Stott Center.

PSU hit a remarkable seven straight three-pointers over a three-and-a-half minute stretch in the second half that blew the Hornets out of the gym. A total of 12-18 three-pointers (.667) by the Vikings was a season high as were the 87 points. It came after an 11-43 shooting performance from three-point range in two conference games last week in Montana.

In all, five Vikings scored in double figures, led by Michael Harthun's season-high 18, including 4-5 from three-point range. Aaron Moore added 16 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals. Point guard Lateef McMullan scored 14 points with a career-high nine assists and no turnovers.

Portland State is now 2-3 in the Big Sky Conference, ending a three-game losing streak, and 4-8 overall. The Hornets dropped to 7-6 overall, 2-3 in conference.

Portland State got off to a slow start in the game, trailing 9-4 after the first four minutes.

The Vikings took their first lead at 14-11 on a three-pointer by McMullan with 11:15 to go in the half. They never trailed again.

PSU's lead grew to 40-33 by halftime as the Vikings handled the ball well, committing a single turnover on an offensive foul. PSU shot 48% for the half, 4-9 from three-point range and made all six free throws.

The flurry of seven straight three-pointers early in the second half gave the Vikings command of the game. Gary Winston and McMullan each hit one and Harthun made two on consecutive possessions for a 12-0 run and 59-43 lead. On the other end, the Vikings got four blocked shots to ignite the rally, with three coming from Brandon Cataldo and one from Aaron Moore.

If the game wasn't already out of hand, Martin Whitmore made sure of it a moment later hitting three straight threes for a team total of seven in a row, and PSU had run away with it. The Vikings' largest lead was by 22 late in the game.

"We didn't force anything. We got good shots and we hit them," said Viking Coach Tyler Geving.

"It's big for us to finally hit shots after how we shot on the road," said Aaron Moore. "Our shooters got going tonight and it was a sight to behold."

As important as the Vikings' quality shooting was their ball-handling. PSU finished with 25 assists and only seven turnovers.

"That is big-time. We keep talking about it. If can play consistently like that we will win games. But, we made shots, that was the biggest thing," said Geving.

Bench production was good as well. Whitmore scored a career-high 11 points. Cataldo played 13 minutes, scoring eight points with two rebounds and four blocked shots.

"I told the team in the locker room tonight, let's give a big hand to Brandon Cataldo and Martin Whitmore," said Geving. "Those guys haven't had a chance to play a lot, but Martin's number was called and he hit shots. B-Cat was phenomenal with four blocks and altering some other shots in there. If we get production like that from our bench we're pretty good."

PSU shot 32-57 for the game (.561) compared to 27-61 for the Hornets (.443).

John Dickson led Sacramento State with 16 points and five rebounds.

GAME NOTES: Portland State had only one turnover in the first half and it came on an offensive foul… PSU had a season-high seven blocked shots... McMullan (9) and Renado Parker (3) each tied their career highs for assists… the Vikings have beaten Sacramento State seven straight times and 11 of the last 12… PSU is now 4-2 at home… Portland State hosts Northern Arizona in a Big Sky Conference game on Saturday night at the Stott Center at 7:35 p.m. The game airs on Freedom 970 AM with a live video stream at www.BigSkyTV.org.