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Missoula, MT - The defending Big Sky Conference regular season champion Montana Grizzlies showed the Vikings they will be a force to reckoned with again in 2015-16. Montana shot .569 from the field, pulling away from Portland State in the second half, to take a 79-66 Big Sky Conference win at Dahlberg Arena.

Portland State led 19-12 after 10 minutes of play, buoyed by three three-pointers from guard Calaen Robinson. But it was all Grizzlies after that. Montana took charge of the next 10 minutes, outscoring the Vikings 28-13, to lead 40-32 at halftime.

The Griz capitalized on 11 Viking turnovers in the first half, scoring 15 points.

In the second half, Montana followed the lead of guard Brandon Gfeller, the Big Sky's top three-point shooter. Gfeller did not miss a three in the this game, and the Griz missed very few. Gfeller was 5-5 from the field, including 4-4 from three-point range for 14 points.

Montana pulled away after the break and had its largest lead at 68-47 with 10:32 to play. Portland State fought back within 75-66 with 2:31 left but could get no closer.

Overall, Montana made 29-51 shots from the field (.569) and 11-20 from behind the arc (.550). Walter Wright scored a game-high 22 points, hitting 8-13 from the field, 3-4 from three-point range and 3-4 at the line. Michael Oquine added 20 points, hitting 7-11 shots, 2-5 from three-point range and 4-5 free throws. 

The Vikings were led by 20 points from Isaiah Pineiro. The sophomore forward made 6-12 from the field and 7-7 at the line. He also had six rebounds. 

Calaen Robinson finished with 16 points and Bryce White scored 10 for the Vikings. 

Portland State made only 21-54 from the field (.389) but hit 9-18 from distance (.500).

The loss ended a two-game win streak for the Vikings. They are now 5-8 on the season, 1-1 in the Big Sky Conference. Montana improved to 8-6 and sits in first place in the Big Sky at 3-0.

GAME NOTES: Pineiro had his team-high third 20-point game of the season... Collin Spickerman had seven rebounds, three blocked shots and two steals for the Vikings… the Grizzlies have beaten the Vikings seven straight times in Missoula and 12 of the last 14 meetings overall… Portland State plays at Montana State on Saturday afternoon. The game tips off at 1:05 p.m. PT. Live video, audio and stats can be found at www.GoViks.com. Just click on the Game Day box.