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Eugene, OR – After a more than disappointing first half, Bryce Canda threw the Vikings on his back in the second half and it almost worked out. Canda scored a career-high 31 points and had Portland State close in the late-going before they fell to Oregon, 95-84, at Matthew Knight Arena.
 
Canda didn't make a field goal in the first half, but hit nine field goals, including five three-pointers after intermission, scoring 26 of his game-high 31. PSU, which trailed by 14 early in the second half, brought it back within two points on three occasions.
 
Still, the Ducks were able to pull away in the final two minutes ending the Vikings' winning streak at four. PSU dropped to 8-3 on the season while Oregon improved to 8-3.
 
Down a pair of big men once again, the Vikings lack of size was an issue. Forwards Traylin Farris (ankle) and Brendan Rumel (hip) were unable to play due to injury. Oregon took advantage inside out-rebounding the Vikings 43-35 and blocking nine shots. They outscored the Vikings in the paint, 42-22.
 
Deontae North scored 23 points for the Vikings, getting 18 in the first half. Canda was 0-6 from the field at that point, but he rallied the Vikings after intermission.
 
There were 10 ties and seven lead changes through the first 15 minutes of a closely-contested game. North's three-pointer with 6:57 left in the half had PSU ahead 35-32. The Vikings went cold from there though, missing their next 10 shots. Oregon went off on an 18-2 run. North finally made a put-back layup late in the half, but the Vikings trailed 50-39 at halftime.
 
The Ducks made 18-33 (.545) field goals in the first half compared to only 14-39 (.359) for Portland State.
 
Oregon quickly pushed the lead to 14 at the start of the second half. But, despite injuries and foul problems the Vikings fought back. Using a five-guard lineup for an extended stretch, Peery's squad made 7-9 shots and went on a 19-7 run. Deante Strickland was key off the bench, hitting a pair of three-pointers and scoring eight points in the run that closed the Vikings within 60-58 at the 12:36 mark.
 
Quickly the Duck lead was back to seven at 69-62, but Canda scored 10 straight for the Vikings and PSU again closed to two at 72-70 with 6:37 left. Oregon stretch the lead back to nine and again the Vikings cut down to 84-80 with 2:30 left.
 
After turning the ball over a season-high 18 times, the Ducks were able to break the Viking press in the closing moments and get some easy baskets. They pulled away in the final minute for the 11-point win.
 
Canda's previous career high was 20 points, set three times previously. He had four rebounds and two steals to go with his 31 points.
 
Coach Barret Peery had praise for how his senior guard led the team in the second half: "He bounced back and really had a monster second half. Our guys found their energy and their life with that.
 
 "We were a little shaken by how poorly we shot the ball and ended up taking some poor shots late in that first half. I was proud of how we came back and made it a game. We had a one possession game with five minutes to go and that's all you can ask for when go play at a Pac-12 school."
 
GAME NOTES: Holland Woods tied his career high with 10 assists… the Vikings scored 29 points off 18 Duck turnovers… Portland State is now 4-1 on the road… Portland State hosts Linfield on Saturday at Lewis and Clark College. Tip-off is 1 p.m. The game is available via live stream at www.WatchBigSky.com and www.Pluto.tv (channel 232). Live stats can be found at www.VikLive.com.