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San Diego, CA – A Tyler Williams three-point field goal with 0.5 seconds on the clock broke Portland State's heart and sent the Vikings into the off-season. San Diego defeated the Vikings, 67-64, in a CollegeInsider.com Tournament game at Jenny Craig Pavilion.
 
Portland State's loss ends its season at 20-14. The Toreros, 20-13, move on to the quarterfinals against an opponent to be determined.
 
It was a tough pill to swallow for PSU at the end, although it didn't diminish what was a tremendous season in Barret Peery's first year as a head coach. PSU's 20 wins were the third-most in 22 years as a Big Sky Conference member.
 
The CIT was not the Big Dance, but Portland State and San Diego played like a pair of teams that didn't want their seasons to end. And the last six minutes were filled with drama in a back-and-forth performance.
 
Portland State started the game at a disadvantage. Senior guard Bryce Canda was unable to play due to a broken left hand. He suffered the injury in the second half of PSU's game against Eastern Washington on Mar. 8 at the Big Sky Conference Tournament. Canda was the Vikings' leading scorer (14.0) and second-leading rebounder (6.0) going into the game. Canda was the only Viking to start every game this season.
 
The Vikings established the pace in the first five minutes, hitting 8-10 shots and cruising to an 18-11 lead. Portland State was up 21-11 after a Ryan Edwards three-pointer. But after hitting his first four shots, the Viking center soon went to the bench with fouls.
 
PSU was ahead 28-16 before the Toreros warmed up, hitting three straight three-pointers and eventually pulling within 30-28.
 
After their opening burst, the Vikings managed to hit only 5-20 shots for the remainder of the half. What maintained the lead was their trademark pressure defense, forcing 13 Torero turnovers. The Vikings scored the last seven points of the half and led 37-28. Edwards had 11 points on a perfect 5-5 from the field.
 
San Diego came out of the locker room on fire, hitting 6-9 shots. Olin Carter III made a pair of three-pointers and scored eight in a 17-5 Torero run. USD had its first lead of the night at 43-42 with 15:29 to play. From there it was a tight contest the rest of the way.
 
PSU tied it twice in the closing minutes. A Deante Strickland jump shot with just over three minutes to play knotted the game at 62-62. With 1:14 remaining Edwards tied the game again on a pair of free throws at 64-64.
 
San Diego missed a three with 43 seconds left, setting up the Vikings for a go-ahead score. A pick-and-roll play with Holland Woods and Edwards resulted in an open look at a three for Edwards. The shot rimmed out and San Diego raced up the court.
 
The Toreros got Williams open on the right wing and he buried the deciding shot.

"We got exactly what we wanted (on the last play)," said Viking Coach Barret Peery. "They swarmed Boo Boo, he got it back to Ryan, who we have great confidence in, and had hit earlier. He got a good look at it. Then it went the other way, they got a good look at it and it went down.

"It was a heck of a college basketball game. Maybe one of the best we have been in all year and you hate to lose it. But it was really a hard-fought struggle. I love the way we played, especially with another guy that didn't get to play tonight - losing Bryce - who was our leading scorer. For our guys to battle and not miss a beat against a good, healthy team... I was really proud of them."
 
Edwards led the Vikings with 18 points and grabbed six rebounds. Strickland added 17 points.
 
The Vikings finished only 23-60 from the field (.383). San Diego was 22-51 (.431). The Toreros made 11 three-pointers to just five for the Vikings. And the final three was the difference.
 
Williams and Carter each ha 16 points to lead the Toreros.
 
GAME NOTES: Brandon Hollins had 10 rebounds to lead all players in the game. Woods had five assists… Portland State was playing in its 34^th game, officially making it the most in school history… the loss to San Diego was the first for the Vikings to a WCC team this season (3-1)… PSU was 10-6 on the road overall.