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PORTLAND – A rough second quarter cost the Vikings a chance at the upset, as the Lady Griz took the game 79-58 Thursday night at the Peter W. Stott Center.
 
The Vikings and Lady Griz were neck and neck through the entire first quarter. Montana opened the second quarter with a 13-12 lead and outscored the Vikings 23-9 in the quarter with a series of runs.
 
After sophomore G Cici West gave the Vikings the lead with the first basket of the second quarter, Montana went on an 8-2 run to go up by five at 21-16. After a pair of free throws by junior F Danah Haley, the Lady Griz went on another 8-0 run to go up 29-18. Montana extended its lead over the rest of the first half and led 36-21 at the break.
 
The Vikings shot just 22.2 percent from the floor in the first half compared to 38.2 percent by the Lady Griz.
 
Portland State came out with renewed defensive intensity in the third quarter as the Vikings pressed the Lady Griz the entire second half. After Montana increased its lead to 22 points with a 7-0 run to start the second half, the Vikings started chipping away at the deficit, primarily at the free-throw line.
 
The Vikings went on a 10-0 over a 1:04 span midway through the third quarter to cut the lead to 14 at 46-32. Six of the 10 points in the run came at the free-throw line. After starting the game 4-for-10 from the line, the Vikings connected on 14 of their next 15 free throws, helping them get back into the game. They ended the game 18-for-25 at the line, 72.0 percent.
 
Freshman F Pia Jurhar entered into Thursday's game averaging 4.3 points per game on the year. She more than quadrupled that average against the Lady Griz, going for a career-high 17 points. She scored 11 points in the third quarter alone, going 2-for-2 from the floor and 7-for-8 from the line in the quarter. She added six rebounds in the game along with four blocks and a steal in 31 minutes.
 
After playing even with Montana in the third quarter, Portland State continued to press in the fourth. The Vikings cut the lead down to 11 points at 66-55 with 3:23 remaining in the game. Unfortunately for the Vikings, that would be as close as they would get. Portland State fouled late, trying to extend the game, but Montana hit its free throws down the stretch and finished out the game with a hard fought 79-58 win.
 
Montana improved to 10-4 overall on the season and 3-0 in Big Sky Conference play with the win. The Vikings fell to 2-11 overall and 0-2 in league action.
 
The Vikings have one more home game this week as they host the Montana State Bobcats on Saturday, Jan. 9. Montana State is 3-0 in league play entering Saturday's game after defeating Sacramento State, 80-79, on a last second three-pointer. Tipoff is slated for 2 p.m.
 
To purchase tickets for the 2015-16 season, visit GoViks.com or call the PSU ticket office at 1-888-VIK-TIKS.
 
For more information on the Portland State women's basketball team, follow the team's official Twitter account at Twitter.com/ViksWBB, on Facebook at Facebook.com/PSUVIKINGS, or on Instagram at Instagram.com/PSU_Vikings.
 
NOTES: Portland State started Pia Jurhar, Kian McNair, Cici West, Corey James, and Michaela Kay … Pia Jurhar scored a career-high 17 points … Portland State forced 20 turnovers for the second time this season … Portland State recorded a season-high 14 steals, six Vikings had at least one steal.