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PORTLAND – Northern Arizona's success in the paint led to the Lumberjacks' 79-62 win over the Vikings Thursday night at the Peter W. Stott Center.
 
The Lumberjacks combined for 56 points in the paint compared to 32 points by the Vikings led by double-doubles by Erikka Banks and Raven Anderson. The Vikings struggled to defend the paint, especially after the injury bug bit once again.
 
Senior F Mikaela Rivard exited the game less than two minutes into the second half after being hit in the throat and did not return. The Vikings, who were already without senior F Ani Avanessian after she missed her fourth-straight game due to injury, found themselves short handed as Banks and Anderson exploited the middle. NAU also out-rebounded PSU 46-to-25.
 
Portland State kept the game close through the first six minutes of the game as NAU led 11-10. The 'Jacks extended their lead to 32-19 before a 10-0 run by the Vikings cut the lead to three points at 32-29 with 2:05 left in the first half. After four straight points by Northern Arizona, a jumper from Rivard made the halftime score 36-31.
 
NAU's Banks had her way in the first half going 6-for-9 from the floor for 16 of her game-high 24 points. PSU's Lauren Holt, Lariel Powell, and Nele Aha all had six points at the break.
 
The Lumberjacks opened the second half on a 12-2 run to go up by 15 points at 48-33. They went up by as much as 22 points in the second half to put away the game before winning 79-62.
 
Holt added 11 points in the second half for her team-high 17 points. Powell finished the game with 15 points while Cici West and Emily Easom each added 10 points. Portland State turned the ball over a season-low eight times.
 
Northern Arizona improved to 13-15 overall and 9-8 in Big Sky Conference play. Portland State fell to 3-25 and 1-16.
 
The Vikings conclude their season Saturday against Southern Utah. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. at the Stott Center on Senior Day.