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PORTLAND – A big first-half run the by the Bobcats ended the Vikings hope of their first conference win, as Montana State defeated Portland State, 106-59, Saturday afternoon at the Peter W. Stott Center.
 
After going down big early, the Vikings cut into the deficit with a 7-0 run to end the first quarter, but still trailed 27-19 at the end of the first. Portland State pulled within six at 29-23 with 8:45 left in the second quarter after a pair of free throws by junior F Danah Haley.
 
Portland State had several opportunities to cut the lead to four points but could not get anything to fall. The Vikings' offensive struggles spurred a 22-0 run by the Bobcats as the Vikings went scoreless for nearly seven minutes. Montana State built up a big lead and led 53-31 at the break.
 
The offensive woes continued for the Vikings in the third quarter as they were outscored 29-11 in the period. Portland State went just 3-for-13 from the floor in the third. The Vikings finished the game shooting a season-low 22.1 percent from the floor and 22.6 percent from three-point range.
 
The Vikings got into foul trouble early in the contest. Freshman F Pia Jurhar, coming off her best game of the season Thursday night against Montana, picked up a pair of early fouls over the first two minutes of the game and had to sit nearly the entire first half. Jurhar's absence allowed the Bobcats to work inside much of the game. Montana State outscoring Portland State 62-to-18 in the paint for the game.
 
Montana State extended its lead in the fourth quarter and won by the final 41-point margin. The Bobcats shot 59.2 percent from the floor in the contest, the second-best mark by a PSU opponent this season.
 
Both teams struggled turning the ball over as Portland State turned the ball over 29 times, while Montana State turned it over 25 times. The difference between the two teams was what they did with the turnovers. The Bobcats turned them into 33 points, compared just 15 by the Vikings.
 
Sophomore F Cici West came off the bench and scored a team-high 11 points for the Vikings. She went 2-for-5 from the floor but 7-for-8 from the free-throw line. Haley added 10 points and five rebounds, also off the bench.
 
Montana State's Jasmine Hommes scored a game-high 22 points. The Bobcats finished the game with five players in double-figures.
 
The Bobcats improved to 11-4 overall and are atop the Big Sky Conference with a 4-0 record. The Vikings fell to 2-12 and 0-3 in league action.
 
The Vikings hit the road next week for a pair of conference road games. They start the week with an 11 a.m. PT game at Weber State on Thursday, Jan. 14. Portland State will then head to Pocatello, Idaho where it will take on the Idaho State Bengals on Saturday, Jan. 16 at 1 p.m. PT.
 
NOTES: Portland State forced 20-plus turnovers for the second straight game … Portland State recorded 14 steals for the second straight game … Portland State gave up over 100 points at home for the first time since falling to Utah Valley, 102-92 in overtime, on Dec. 29, 2008.