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Missoula, MT – It was another battle to the final seconds for Portland State, but the result was familiar as the Vikings lost to Montana, 85-82, at Dahlberg Arena.
 
PSU dropped its seventh game in eight starts, with six of those losses by six points or less and four in overtime. This one didn't go overtime, but the Vikings gave themselves a chance late.
 
Ahmaad Rorie led all scorers with 28 points for Montana. Deontae North scored 23 to lead the Vikings.
 
PSU led only briefly in the opening moments of the game. Montana's largest lead in the first half was 10 points and the Vikings were down 44-37 at halftime.
 
In the second half the Vikings couldn't find their rhythm offensively. A five-minute scoring drought allowed the Griz to go on a 7-0 run and build a 58-44 lead with 11:04 to play.

A moment later, PSU mounted its own 12-3 run and closed within 65-60. Big contributions came off the bench from Khari Holloway with nine points and Montie Leunen with seven. Holloway dropped a three-pointer at the 2:32 mark pulling the Vikings within 69-68.

On Montana's next two possessions they hit three-pointers and got some breathing room. The first came from Michael Oguine, then one from Bobby Moorehead. PSU was down 75-68 with 1:14 to play.

The Grizzlies went 10-12 at the line in the final minute to hold on for the victory. Still the Vikings had a chance with 1.8 seconds left and trailing 83-79. North was fouled on a three-point attempt and made the first two. Down 83-81, North tried to miss the third to give the Vikings a chance for an offensive rebound and a tying putback. But the third attempt hit the back iron and still went in.

Rorie was fouled on the ensuing inbound play and made both free throws for the final points of the game.

The Vikings' De'Sean Parsons continued his recent tear through the Big Sky Conference. He posted his fifth double-double of the season with 19 points and 13 rebounds. He has averaged 24.8 points and 8.3 rebounds over the last six games.
 
The numbers were similar across the board the Vikings shooting .474 from the field and the Grizzlies shooting .483. Both teams made 22 free throws and both had 16 turnovers. Montana made just one more three-pointer in the game to provide the difference.
 
Portland State is now 12-13 on the season, 5-9 in the Big Sky. Montana improved to 14-14, 9-6 in the Big Sky.
 
GAME NOTES: North had his fourth 20-point game of the season… Portland State is 4-10 on the road this season… PSU beat Montana, 88-79, on Jan. 19 in Portland… Portland State returns home next week to host Southern Utah in a Thursday night game. Tip-off is 7:05 p.m. and the Stott Center. Live video and audio can be found at GoViks.com and live stats will be available at ViksLive.com.