Boxscore - HTM | PDF

Portland, OR – Undermanned, but not outclassed. That is the stamp the Portland State Vikings put on their 93-74 win over Montana State Thursday night at Lewis and Clark College's Pamplin Sports Center.
 
The Vikings dressed just nine players but got great contributions from everyone in leading wire-to-wire for the victory. PSU improved to 12-5 on the season, 2-2 in the Big Sky while knocking Montana State out of first place (11-7, 4-1).
 
Deontae North led the Vikings with 22 points and four steals and Michael Mayhew posted a career-high 18 points on 6-9 three-pointers as a guard-oriented lineup dominated the Bobcats.
 
Forwards Brandon Hollins, Traylin Farris and Jamie Orme were unable to play in the game due to illness. Add in forward Brendan Rumel, who is out for the season with a hip injury, and the Vikings had four of their six big men on the sidelines.
 
Center Ryan Edwards scored 11 points, as did Bryce Canda and Deante Strickland, and Holland Woods handed out nine assists. Canda and Mayhew each had seven rebounds. And the Vikings got 29 points from their bench players on 10-17 field goal shooting.
 
"It's extremely gratifying and I'm proud of how our guys responded (to the short roster). We don't care who plays, so whoever is suited up is going to have an opportunity to contribute and win," said Viking Coach Barret Peery. "I told them 'nine guys are going to play tonight and nine guys are going to help us win. You have to figure it out.' We were without two seniors and a junior but our guys didn't miss a beat."
 
The Vikings got off to a raucous start, forcing three quick turnovers that produced an 11-2 lead. They maintained a double-digit advantage through most of the first half with deft three-point shooting and defensive intensity. Mayhew, making his first start since Nov. 24, hit 4-5 threes in the half.
 
The largest lead came with 5:18 to play on a Mayhew triple, putting the Vikings up 37-19. They settled for a 44-32 halftime advantage.
 
Pace was everything to the Vikings and they were able to maintain it in the second half. PSU expanded the 12-point halftime edge to 21, five minutes into the half. Once again, forcing turnovers, a Viking staple this season, made the difference. MSU had 12 of their 21 turnovers after halftime and were never able to make a serious charge.
 
In all, the Vikings scored 24 points off those turnovers and made 10 steals. That was coupled with excellent shooting as PSU hit 34-64 from the field (.531), 14-32 from three-point range (.438) and 11-13 at the line (.846).
 
Montana State shot .444 from the field and made 18-25 free throws. All-Conference guard Tyler Hall scored 16 points to lead five Bobcats in double figures.
 
GAME NOTES: Portland State was playing just its fifth home game of the season. The Vikings are 5-0 at home and have won seven straight dating at home to last season… Braxton Tucker played his longest stint of the season since coming back from injury, scoring eight points in 15 minutes… the Vikings have now lost 35 player games to injury and illness this season… the Vikings will host Montana on Saturday afternoon at Lewis and Clark. Tip-off is 1 p.m. A live stream is available www.WatchBigSky.com and www.pluto.tv. Live stats can be found at www.ViksLive.com.