Boxscore - HTM | PDF

Missoula, MT – The Montana Grizzlies maintained their dominance over the Big Sky Conference with an 80-60 win over Portland State at Dahlberg Arena, improving to 12-0 in league.
 
The Vikings couldn't overcome early foul trouble and poor shooting as they took their worst loss of the season to the league leaders. The Vikings made only 21-67 from the field for a season-low .313 shooting mark.
 
Montana, which shot just .306 in the first half, warmed up in the second, making 20-35 (.571), to break open a close game.
 
Portland State was led by a season-high 16 points from Derek Brown off the bench. Brown added six rebounds and three assists.
 
Jamar Akoh scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Grizzlies.
 
In the end, Montana was 28-61 from the field for a respectable .459 mark. The Grizzlies also beat the Vikings on the boards, 47-38.
 
Portland State falls to 14-10 on the season, 4-7 in Big Sky games. The Grizzlies are now 19-5, 12-0 in league and a perfect 10-0 at home.
 
Just like their first meeting in January, this game started out tight and physical. There were seven ties and eight lead changes in the first 15 minutes. Soon though, the Vikings were saddled with foul trouble. They were whistled for 14 fouls in those 15 minutes and Montana pulled into a lead and PSU starters went to the bench.
 
Montana made 17-23 from the free throw line by halftime. Fortunately for the Vikings, Montana shot poorly from the field, making only 8-26 shots (.306). The Vikings were 12-37 shooting (.324), but had just four shots at the line, making three. They had 16 fouls at halftime to eight for the Griz.
 
The Griz warmed up in the second half, but the Vikings didn't. Montana came out of the locker room to score the first 12 points of the half and take command of the game, 46-29. The Vikings never got closer than 13 points after that.
 
Michael Mayhew, Deante Strickland and Ryan Edwards each scored eight points for the Vikings.
 
GAME NOTES: Brandon Hollins led the Vikings with eight rebounds and scored seven points… PSU is now 7-5 on the road this season… Portland State travels to Montana State for a Saturday afternoon game. The Vikings and Bobcats meet at 1 p.m. PT. The game is available via live stream at www.WatchBigSky.com and www.Pluto.tv.