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Missoula, MT – With all of the elements working against them, the Portland State Vikings could have wilted in Missoula. But they didn't. Holland "Boo Boo" Woods and some late help from Robert McCoy made sure of that as the Vikings knocked off the defending Big Sky Conference Champion Montana Grizzlies, 77-74, in overtime.
 
Woods hit a three-pointer late in regulation – capping a seven-point comeback - to send the game to overtime. After a couple of key baskets by McCoy, Woods iced the game on a pair of free throws with 17 seconds left in the extra session.
 
PSU's win was its first in 10 seasons at Dahlberg Arena. More than that, the Vikings stopped their five-game losing streak against the league's best team. Montana entered the game with the Big Sky's best record and winners of four straight.
 
The Vikings trailed from the 8:16 mark of the first half and were never even tied until Woods' late three in regulation. They finally took a 73-71 lead with 2:46 left in of overtime on McCoy's driving shot in the lane.
 
McCoy tipped in a Viking miss with 48 seconds remaining to put PSU up 75-72. Following a Montana basket, Woods was fouled and calmly sank two free throws with 17 seconds left. Montana could not convert a three-point attempt in the closing seconds and the Vikings came away with the 77-74 win.
 
"It was gratifying to see the guys get the fruits of their labor after a tough stretch," said Viking Coach Barret Peery. "This is the toughest place in the league to win a game but they really responded and made all the plays down at the end.
 
"I was really proud of how everybody contributed. Our older guys stepped up and made some key plays."
 
Montana boasts one of the Big Sky's best defenses. The Grizzlies allowed a league-low .420 field goal shooting to opponents and only 67.8 points per game going into the contest.
 
That defense showed up in the first half as the Vikings were limited to 10-27 shooting (.370) from the field. Fortunately, Woods was on the mark, hitting 4-5 shots, including a pair of three-pointers. He led the Vikings with 12 points by halftime. Kendal Manuel had 14 for the Griz.
 
Montana was 10-26 from the field, but got a few more at the charity stripe for a 36-31 lead at intermission.
 
The biggest lead for either team was nine by Montana early in the second half. The Vikings were able to stay in touch throughout though, matching the Grizzlies shot for shot.
 
Portland State trailed by seven, 69-62, with 2:05 minutes to play, but scored the last seven in regulation.
 
Woods started the rally with a pair of free throws. PSU got a defensive stop and Jamie Orme came back to score inside with 1:32 to play. Again the Vikings held on the defensive end, setting up Woods big three-pointer from the top of the circle with 40 seconds to play. That shot tied the game at 69-69. Neither team could score in the closing seconds and the game went to overtime.
 
PSU was finally able to gain the lead on McCoy's drive midway through the extra session and held on from there.
 
Portland State improved its record to 6-8 on the season, 1-2 in the Big Sky Conference.
 
Woods finished with a season-high 28 points, making 6-11 field goals, 3-4 three-pointers and 13-15 free throws. McCoy had 10 points and 11 rebounds for his third double-double of the season. Orme came off the bench to score 13 point on 6-9 field goals.
 
The Vikings ended up shooting .410 from the field and played some stellar defense of their own. Montana was the Big Sky's top shooting team at .494, but PSU limited the Griz to 23-59 from the field (.390), including just 2-9 in overtime (.222).
 
"I was particularly happy to see our guys string together defensive stops when it was important," Peery said.
 
Manuel led Montana with 22 points in the game. The Grizzlies dropped to 10-5 on the season, 3-1 in the Big Sky.
 
GAME NOTES: The Vikings were 21-27 at the free throw line (.778)… PSU got its first true road win of the season (1-4, 1-1 neutral sites)… the Vikings last win in Missoula was a 108-56 decision on Mar. 1, 2008 - the largest margin of victory over a Division I opponent in school history.... Portland State returns home for a game next Saturday against Weber State. Tip-off is 7:05 p.m. at the Viking Pavilion. The game will air on Pluto TV Channel 232 and www.WatchBigSky.com. Live stats can be found at www.ViksLive.com.