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Boise, ID – Portland State couldn't find enough offense in the second half as they lost to UC Santa Barbara, 76-69, in the opening game of the Vandal Holiday Hoops Showcase at Century Link Arena.
 
The Vikings shot only .313 from the field after halftime, including 2-17 from three-point range, as the Gauchos held them off for the win.
 
UCSB improved to 4-1 as it heads into a game against Idaho on Saturday night. Portland State dropped to 2-2 on the early season, and will play Northwest Nazarene on Saturday.
 
Portland State hit 22-63 shots from the field (.349) and 3-24 from three-point range (.125) for the game. The Vikings also battled foul trouble all night with 36 total fouls.
 
Michael Nuga led the Vikings with 13 points. Jamie Orme, Sal Nuhu and Holland Woods each had 11 points. Orme grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Vikings.

The Vikings muddled through a sloppy first half as they committed 18 fouls and 10 turnovers. Fortunately, the Gauchos struggled at the line, making 12-21 in the half. PSU trailed only 38-34 at the break.
 
UCSB stretched its lead to 12 early in the second half as the Vikings made just one of seven shots to open the half. The Gauchos largest lead was 50-37 with 13:11 left in the game.
 
Trailing 57-45, the Vikings pulled off a 9-2 run and got within 59-54 with 6:07 left. They would get no closer. A 9-3 rally by UCSB in the final minutes gave it the cushion for the win.

"I think it was a really hard fought game. Santa Barbara was a good team and we had our chances," said Viking Coach Barret Peery. "We had a tough time shooting it, but I thought our kids battled against a really good team. There were two or three possessions late where we really had a chance."

Armond Davis had 20 points and six rebounds to lead the Gauchos. Jarriesse Blackmon had 10 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three blocked shots.
 
UCSB also had trouble with fouls, committing 25 in the game, but got 10 more attempts at the line than the Vikings. The Gauchos were 26-42 (.619) on free throws compared to 22-32 for PSU (.688). UCSB shot .462 from the field.
 
GAME NOTES: Portland State and UC Santa Barbara were meeting for the first time since 1981 and only the second time ever. The Gauchos were 23-9 last season… PSU committed a season-high 16 turnovers… the Vikings' early season shooting woes continued as they are now 23-109 from three-point range through four games (.220)… Friday's live stream of the game was not available due to technical difficulties in Boise. Saturday's live stream is TBA… the Vikings will play Northwest Nazarene on Saturday in Boise in a 4 p.m. PT game.