MISSOULA, Mont. – A rough shooting afternoon caught up with the Vikings as they fell 69-53 to the first-place Montana Lady Griz Saturday in Missoula, Mont.
 
Portland State (9-7 overall, 3-2 Big Sky Conference) shot 32.1 percent from the floor for the game and just 27.6 percent in the second half. Portland State overcame its first-half shooting woes by going 12-for-13 at the line and led 31-19 at the break.  
 
Montana (9-8, 5-1) opened the second half on a 14-2 run to take a 10-point lead. The Lady Griz extended its lead to 13 points heading to the fourth quarter after holding the Vikings to just four points, their fewest in any quarter this season.
 
The Vikings' shooting improved in the fourth but the Lady Griz extended their lead, talking the game 69-53. Montana shot 44.3 percent from the floor for the game and 55.2 percent in the second half.
 
JR G Sidney Rielly led the Vikings with 16 points, going 4-for-9 from the floor and 8-for-9 at the free-throw line. She was held to just two points in the second half, going 2-for-2 at the line. JR G Kiana Brown scored 15 points off the bench with three rebounds and three assists in 26 minutes.
 
Montana had three players score in double figures, led by McKenzie Johnston's game-high 17. She went 6-for-11 from the floor and 5-for-6 at the line. Jace Henderson recorded the game's only double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
 
Portland State returns home next week for a pair of games. The Vikings open the week against the Idaho State Bengals on Thursday, Jan. 18 with tip-off slated for 8 p.m. PT.