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BOZEMAN, Mont. – Sophomore G Cici West posted another huge game for the Vikings, but they were unable to overcome a slow first-half and fell to Big Sky Conference leading Montana State, 74-64, Thursday night in Bozeman, Mont.
 
The Vikings were down by 22 points a minute into the fourth quarter before going on a 16-3 run over the next seven minutes to pull within nine at 71-62. It was the first time since three minutes into the second quarter that the margin had been in single digits.
 
Montana State ended an 0-for-11 shooting stretch with a three-pointer to make it a 12-point game at 74-62. Freshman G Corey James hit a pair of free throws to make it a 10-point game, which would be the final margin.
 
West posted her fourth-straight double-double with 17 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. West entered the game as the league's leading rebounder and held up to the billing. She came up big on the offensive glass, accounting for seven of her 15 boards.

West has been known for her efforts on the glass but it is her offense that has come on of late. She has scored in double-figures in six of the last seven games, shooting 40.0 percent or better in each and better than 50.0 percent four times. West led the Vikings with seven buckets Thursday, going 7-for-11 (63.6 percent).
 
Freshman G Kian McNair improved on her team-leading scoring average Thursday, going for a career-high 19 points. It was the third time this season that she has scored 19 points and her 12th double-digit scoring game of the season, sixth straight. McNair put up a team season-high 20 field goal attempts, connecting on five. She got to the line eight times, going a perfect 8-for-8.
 
Portland State came into the game without their assists leader and starting point guard Michaela Kay, who missed the game due to an injury. Kay's absence was felt as the team recorded just nine assists in the game on 20 field goals.
 
Montana State got out to a quick lead in the first quarter, shooting 67.0 percent (10-for-15) from the floor, compared to just 32.0 percent (6-for-19) by the Vikings.
 
MSU's Jasmine Hommes scored a game-high 23 points, doing a lot of her damage in the first quarter. She scored 16 points, going 8-for-8 from the floor, in the opening period, as the Bobcats led 23-17 after the first 10 minutes.
 
The Bobcats increased their advantage in the second quarter and led 41-24 at the break. McNair and West combined for 19 of the team's 24 points.
 
The Vikings picked things up in the third quarter, scoring 19 points but the Bobcats posted 22 points to increase their lead.
 
Portland State flipped the script in the fourth quarter, outscoring Montana State by 10 points (21-11), doing much of its damage at the line. The Vikings went 9-for-10 at the line helping them cut into the lead. They finished the game going 19-for-23 at the line (82.6 percent).
 
The Vikings held the Bobcats to just 18 percent shooting (3-for-17) in the quarter, while shooting 38 percent (5-for-13) including a pair of three-pointers from sophomore G Montana Walters. They whittled away at the Bobcats lead but it was too much to overcome and they fell by the final 10-point margin.

Montana State improved to 16-5 overall and 9-1 in conference play with the win, while Portland State fell to 3-17 and 1-8 with the loss.
 
The Vikings head to Missoula, Mont. for a Saturday, Feb. 6 meeting with the Montana Lady Griz. Tip is set for 1 p.m. PT.
 
NOTES: Cici West posted her eighth double-double of the season, fourth straight, with 17 points and 15 rebounds … Kian McNair matched her career high with 19 points … Portland State forced more turnovers than its opponent for just the third time this season.