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Portland, OR - Idaho's vaunted defense put the hammer down on the Vikings in the second half as the Vandals defeated Portland State, 80-74, in a Big Sky Conference game at the Stott Center.

Idaho was allowing only 65 points per game on the season - best in the Big Sky Conference - but gave up 40 in the first half to the Vikings on .571 shooting from the field (16-28). The second half was a different story as PSU made only 10-34 shots (.294) and slowly lost touch with the Vandals. The Vikings scored 13 of their 34 second-half points in the final two minutes while desperately trying to make a comeback.

Portland State's loss was its fourth in a row as the Vikings fell to 8-16 on the season, 4-9 in the Big Sky. Idaho, which has swept the season series from PSU improved to 17-10, 9-5 in conference. The Vandals continued their success away from home with their ninth road win of the year. Meanwhile, the Vikings dropped to 5-6 at home this season.

Cameron Forte had another big night for Portland State, recording his ninth double-double of the season with 23 points and 16 rebounds. Forte made 8-11 from the field and 6-6 at the free throw line. He also had five assists, four steals and two blocked shots. Zach Gengler added 15 points for the Vikings.

Perrion Callandret led Idaho with 19 points. Brothers Chad and Nate Sherwood combined to make 10-14 shots from the field and score 28 points. Chad was 5-7 from three-point range.

After scoring only 55 points in their previous meeting with the Vandals, Portland State did a good job of increasing the pace of the game in the first half. It was closely contested as the Vikings largest lead was four and Idaho's was six. Portland State led 40-38 at halftime behind 14 points and seven boards from Forte.

Idaho jumped back to a 52-46 advantage early in the second half taking advantage of a four-minute scoring drought by the Vikings. Chad Sherwood's three-pointer at the 7:04 mark made it 64-54 in favor of Idaho.

Portland State could get no closer than eight points after that. Only Forte's three-pointer with one second left made the final margin six points.

Idaho finished the night 30-65 from the field (.462), 8-14 from three-point range (.467) and 12-23 at the free throw line (.522).

After their hot start, the Vikings were only 26-62 on the night (.419), making 5-21 three-pointers (.238) and 17-26 at the line (.654).

Idaho out-rebounded the Vikings 46-36, getting 20 on the offensive glass.

GAME NOTES: Forte led the Vikings in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals and blocked shots… Forte is 90-139 from the field in the last nine games (.647)... he had 43 points and 36 rebounds in two games against Idaho… freshman Armani Collins got his second straight start… Idaho defeated the Vikings, 56-55, in Moscow on Jan. 30… Portland State takes on Eastern Washington Saturday night at the Stott Center in a 7:05 p.m. game. Live video, audio and stats are available at www.GoViks.com.