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Cedar City, UT – Southern Utah broke open a tie game with six minutes left, outscoring Portland State 20-6 down the stretch. The result was an 83-69 Thunderbird win at America First Center.
 
The Vikings suffered their seventh loss in eight games. It was also the first time the T-Birds have beaten the Vikings since 2013, ending a string of nine straight losses to PSU.
 
Southern Utah led almost the entire game, but never by double figures until the closing moments. SUU shot 28-50 from the field (.560), but the Vikings stayed close with a remarkable 38-18 rebound advantage. In fact, the T-Birds did not have a single offensive rebounds in the contest.
 
Turnovers were a problem for the Vikings though. PSU had a season-high 25 turnovers that led to 30 Southern Utah points.
 
PSU trailed the entire first half but was able to keep it close. Despite 54% shooting by the Thunderbirds, the Vikings were down only 36-33 at halftime.
 
Southern Utah was up 43-35 when the Vikings made a game of it. Down four with just over 10 minutes to play, PSU had mini-run of 7-0, getting a three-point field goal from Deante Strickland, followed by a pair of free throws from Michael Nuga and two more from Holland Woods.
 
The Vikings led 57-54 with 9:56 remaining, but that lead would last only 37 seconds as SUU regained control. Still, a fastbreak layin by Woods with 6:17 to go tied it at 63-63.
 
Southern Utah responded, tightening its defense, hitting three three-pointers, and 7-10 free throws down the stretch. A Cameron Oluyitan three-pointer with 2:21 to go made it 76-66 T-Birds, and the Vikings were done for the night.
 
Portland State was 25-31 (.806) from the free throw line - one of their best performances of the season - but made only 2-6 in the final five minutes while the game was still in the balance. The Vikings also had four turnovers after tying the game with just over six minutes remaining.
 
Derek Brown led the Vikings with 16 points, matching his career high. Brown, a senior guard, made 5-10 from the field and 6-6 at the line. Michael Nuga scored 13 points, and Strickland came off the bench for 10 points, six rebounds and three assists.
 
Portland State was 20-51 (.392) from the field, 4-19 (.211) from three-point range.
 
The Thunderbirds were 28-50 (.560) shooting, 7-19 (.368) from three-point range, and 20-28 (.714) at the line. Oluyitan led five Thunderbirds in double figures with 18 points.
 
The Vikings are now 6-10 on the season, 1-4 in the Big Sky Conference. Southern Utah goes over .500 at 8-7, 3-3 in the Big Sky. The T-Birds have won three straight games.
 
GAME NOTES: The Vikings play at Northern Arizona on Saturday in a 1 p.m. PT game. It will be live streamed on Pluto TV and www.WatchBigSky.com. Live stats are available at www.ViksLive.com.