Boxscore – HTM | PDF
 
Flagstaff, AZ – The Portland State Vikings survived a sluggish offensive performance to pick up their 18^th win of the season, beating Northern Arizona, 72-66, at Rolle Activity Center.
 
Portland State entered the contest ranked second in the nation in offensive rebounds per game, and they needed all 16 they pulled down against the Lumberjacks, turning them into 17 points. That effort helped offset a 23-60 shooting performance (.383). PSU's 72 points were the fewest in a win all season.
 
The Vikings improved to 18-11 on the season, 8-8 in the Big Sky Conference. The 18^th win is significant in that it gives Head Coach Barret Peery the most wins ever for a first-year coach at Portland State (previous mark 17-11 by Joel Sobotka, 1998-99). It is also the most wins by a Viking team since PSU won the Big Sky Conference and advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2008-09 (23-10).
 
Guards Holland Woods and Deante Strickland each scored 12 points to lead the Vikings. Forward Brandon Hollins saw his double-double streak end at four – but just barely – grabbing 12 rebounds and scoring eight points.
 
It was a shabby first half offensively on both sides. The Vikings were 8-28 from the field (.286) and the Lumberjacks were 9-31 (.290). PSU led 24-23 at the break, and it was the lowest-scoring half of the season for the Vikings.
 
Portland State never trailed in the second half but they had trouble shaking the 12^th-place Lumberjacks. Finally the Vikings got some offensive flow, making a respectable 15-32 (.469) from the field after intermission, as well as 14-20 free throws.
 
The Vikings led by 10 points on two occasions, but the 'Jacks crawled back within 59-55 with 3:38 remaining in the game.
 
After a pair of free throws by Woods, a big three-pointer by Strickland gave the Vikings the separation they needed in the final two minutes. That shot put PSU up 64-56 with 2:04 to play. Woods made a key up-and-under layin with a minute left and Michael Mayhew hit four straight free throws at the end to hold off NAU.
 
Portland State had a strong night on the glass overall, out-rebounding the Lumberjacks, 46-32.
 
NAU shot 22-55 for the game (.400), and made only 3-15 three-pointers (.200). Torry Johnson tallied 15 to lead all scorers.
 
The Lumberjacks drop to 5-24 on the season, 2-14 in the Big Sky Conference.
 
GAME NOTES: The Vikings have won three games in a row, four of the last five and five of the last seven… Portland State pulls into a tie with Idaho State for sixth place in the Big Sky Conference. The Vikings holds the tie-breaker over the Bengals having swept the season series... PSU has won three straight against Northern Arizona… Portland State is now 10-5 on the road, giving them the most road wins in 22 seasons in the Big Sky Conference… Brandon Hollins is averaging 13.2 rebounds per game over the last five contests… Portland State returns home next week for the final two regular season home games. The Vikings host Northern Colorado on Thursday night and North Dakota on Saturday afternoon at Lewis and Clark College's Pamplin Sports Center.