Portland, OR - Montana bounced back from a remarkable first-half run by Portland State, then maintained control in the second half to improve its perfect Big Sky Conference record to 11-0. The first-place Grizzlies defeated the Vikings, 81-68, at the Stott Center.

The Grizzlies proved to be extremely efficient, shooting 56% from the field, 46% from three-point range, 83% at the line and committed only six turnovers. It all added up Montana's 11th straight win, and eight straight victory over PSUm, dating back four seasons. UM is now 15-4 overall.

The Vikings, who played well but weren't quite up to the challenge from the Big Sky's top team, lost their fifth straight game. The Vikings are now 5-13, 3-8 in the Big Sky.

UM star guard Will Cherry was a quadruple threat with a game-high 16 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals. Mathias Ward added 15 points as four Grizzlies scored in double figures.

Aaron Moore scored 14 for Portland State. Martin Whitmore came off the bench for 10 points and a game-high nine rebounds. Gary Winston scored 10 more with six assists.

Three big runs dominated the first half. Then Montana owned the second half.

Portland State, shooting .523 at home going into the game, made only one of its first nine shots and trailed 10-2 after five minutes. 

After a timeout the Vikings got hot, making eight of their next 11 and went on a 17-2 run. PSU took its first lead at 17-15 and pushed it 23-17 with 7:31 to play in the half.  

But Montana closed out the half on a 22-8 push. That gave the Griz a 39-31 lead at intermission.

"We were playing well then," said Viking Coach Tyler Geving. "But we tend to have those three or four minute spells during the game… we just gave up a ton of points down the stretch in the first half. We've got to stop those stretches. (Montana) is a good team, obviously. A credit to them on that."

The Griz didn't run away with it, but the Vikings could never get closer than six in the second half. PSU shot 58% in the second half, but Montana made 14-21 from the field in the half (67%) to keep the Vikings at bay.

GAME NOTES: Lamont Prosser scored a season-high seven points, hitting 3-4 field goals… Martin Whitmore grabbed a career-high seven rebounds by halftime… Portland State continues Big Sky Conference play on Saturday, hosting Montana State at 7:35 p.m. at the Stott Center. The game airs on Freedom 970 AM, www.freedom970.com and www.BigSkyTV.org.