Boxscore - HTM | PDF
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Portland, OR - Portland State got just what the doctor ordered; a convincing win at home over Montana State, sparked by the outstanding bench play of Isaiah Pineiro and De'Sean Parsons.
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Pineiro and Parsons combined for 35 points, 16 rebounds and five steals as the Vikings defeated the Bobcats, 83-68, at the Stott Center. PSU's victory ended a two-game losing streak and a stretch of four losses in five games.
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Pineiro, a sophomore forward, scored a game-high 22 points, hitting 7-12 from the field and 8-9 at the line. Parsons scored 13 points, hitting 5-6 shots including a three-pointer, and 2-2 at the line. He also had season-highs of 13 rebounds and four steals.
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"I'm really happy for De'Sean," said Viking Coach Tyler Geving of his junior forward. "He has persevered a little bit from not playing at times. So for him to come in and perform like that tonight is pretty cool."
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The performance of the forward tandem off the bench was part of a larger effort that saw the Vikings shoot .604 for the game. PSU made 32-53 from the field and 6-12 from three-point range.
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Montana made only 25-64 shots (.391) on the night, and 6-22 from distance (.273).
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Portland State trailed for the first 12 minutes of the game, but got hot late in the half. Pineiro led the rally, scoring 12 points late in the first half. The Vikings shot 56% and were up 38-31 at the break.
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In the second half, PSU broke it open behind 64% shooting. The Vikings led by as many as 21 points in the game. Every Viking that took a shot, hit at 50% or better on the night.
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"The shooting wasn't good for the first four or five minutes of the game, but I credit this team. They stuck with it and starting hitting. They worked through it, and I'm sure being at home helps a little," said Geving. "I think what really helped was Montana State was focusing on defending the post and that gave us some wide-open looks. We knocked them down."
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Collin Spickerman scored 13 points for the Vikings and blocked a season-high six shots. Calaen Robinson scored 12 points, and Donivine Stewart pitched in a game-high eight assists.
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Zach Green led the Bobcats with 17 points in the game. Marcus Colbert scored 13 points and had five assists.
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PSU improved to 8-12 on the season and jumped over Montana State in the Big Sky Conference standings at 4-5. The Bobcats are now 9-13, 4-6.
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GAME NOTES: Portland State has won three straight games over Montana State… PSU is 5-4 at home this season… PSU, leaders in the Big Sky in assists (17.2), had 20 more on 32 made baskets… the Vikings also lead in the Big Sky in steals (8.1) and made nine in the game… the Vikings beat Montana State, 77-70, in Bozeman  on Jan. 9… Portland State is at home again on Saturday night, hosting Montana at 7:05 p.m. Live video, audio and stats are available at GoViks.com.
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