BROOKINGS, S.D. – The Vikings had four players in double figures but they were unable to overcome a slow start and fell to South Dakota State, 74-65, Thursday night in Brookings, S.D.
 
Freshman G Kian McNair led the Vikings with a career-high 13 points, going 5-for-11 from the floor with a pair of three-pointers. She added a free throw, three rebounds, and a pair of steals in the game.
 
Junior G Ashley Torres Negron came off the bench and scored 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting. Freshman guards Corey James and Michaela Kay each added 11 and 10 points respectively. It was the first time this season that the Vikings had four players in double figures.
 
The Vikings shot 32.3 percent from the floor in the first half but turned things around in the second half shooting 45.5 percent. They outshot the Jackrabbits 39.1-to-34.2 percent from the floor for the game. It was the first time the Vikings outshot an opponent this season.
 
Portland State fell behind early in the game, trailing by nine points, 23-14, at the end of the first quarter. The Vikings fell behind by as much as 20 in the first half and trailed 43-27 at the break.
 
Trailing 70-51 with 4:27 left in the game, Torres Negron hit a pair of free throws to cut into the South Dakota State lead. Freshman Pia Jurhar put in a layup on the Vikings' next possession to further cut into the lead.
 
Torres Negron score eight of her 12 points over the final minutes of the game to cut the final margin to single digits.
 
Despite outshooting the Jackrabbits, the Vikings were outrebounded 55-to-45 in the game and turned the ball over 22 times, turning into 23 South Dakota State points.
 
South Dakota State's Clarissa Ober led all players with 19 points and 13 rebounds for the game's lone double-double.
 
The Jackrabbits improved to 5-2 on the season while the Vikings fell to 0-6.
                                                              
The Vikings now head to Vermillion, S.D. where they will take on the South Dakota Coyotes on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. CT. The Coyotes are 4-3 this season after defeating Drake, 92-87, in overtime Thursday night.