Boxscore - HTM | PDF

San Francisco, CA - What was first a minor concern has become a major problem for the Vikings. As PSU raced to a 4-0 start to the 2014-15 season, nobody expected shooting to be a problem for this team.

But, following a 77-40 road loss at San Francisco, it is apparent that shooting has become the Vikings' achilles heel. 

PSU made only 10-50 (.200) field goals against the Dons - PSU's poorest shooting percentage in 19 seasons as a Big Sky Conference member. That continued a six-game trend in which the Viks have made only 114-326 (.350) from the field and won just twice.

To make matters worse, PSU was missing three players for the second straight game due to nagging injuries. The Vikings did not have Bryce White (left hip, leg), Tiegbe Bamba (left achilles, calf) and Zach Gengler (ankle) available to play. As a result, Head Coach Tyler Geving started his sixth different lineup in nine games.

It didn't matter who was on the floor though as the Dons took advantage of PSU's poor performance. USF finished at 29-60 from the field (.483), including 10-24 three-pointers (.417), and beat the Vikings on the glass, 44-32. The Dons also committed just six turnovers to 14 for PSU.

The loss leaves the Vikings are 5-4 on the season, with one non-conference game to play. San Francisco moved to 6-5 on the season.

It was a sluggish offense start for both teams. The Vikings and Dons each suffered through scoring droughts of four minutes in the first half. But a 21-4 scoring run, highlighted by three straight three-pointers, pushed USF to 31-13 lead with 5:19 to play.

By halftime, the Dons lead had ballooned to 46-22. If not for 15 points from DaShaun Wiggins, Portland State would have really been suffering on offense. 

PSU was 7-22 from the field (.318), while USF was 16-27 (.593) at the break. The Dons also had a 17-10 rebound advantage.

The Vikings missed their first seven field goal attempts of the second half and fell behind by 34 at 56-22. From there, the Dons went on to lead by as many as 45 points.

The Vikings made only 3-28 second-half shots for a frigid .107. 

Wiggins led PSU with 18 points before fouling out. He made 5-9 field goals, 4-6 from three-point range and 4-6 free throws. The remainder of the Vikings made only 5-41 shots from the field.

Mark Tollefsen and Kruize Pinkins scored 23 points each to lead San Francisco and combined to make 17-21 shots from the field. Tollefsen also grabbed 10 rebounds.

GAME NOTES: Portland State and San Francisco were playing one another for the first time in history… the fewest points scored by Portland State since reinstating the basketball program and joining the Big Sky Conference was 39 in an 89-39 loss to second-ranked Duke on Dec. 30, 1997… PSU is now 2-4 on the road this season… Portland State plays its final non-conference game on Monday night at home. It will be a 6:05 p.m. tip off when the Vikings meet Walla Walla at the Stott Center. Live video, audio and stats are available at GoViks.com. Just click on the Game Day box.