Pullman, WA – A Washington State defense that had stifled opponents through four games this season, continued its effort against Portland State. The Cougars used that defense to pull out a 69-60 win at Friel Court on Sunday.
 
Though they were never out of it until the closing seconds, the Vikings were sluggish to start and finished the game shooting just 20-66 (.303) from the field. The poor shooting prevented them from ever igniting a big run in the game.
 
The Cougars came into the contest undefeated (4-0) and proving to be one of the top defensive teams in the country. WSU was allowing only 58.3 points and .360 field goal shooting to opponents. The numbers looked similar on Sunday evening.
 
Freshman Paris Dawson was a lone bright spot offensively for the Vikings. He led the way with 18 points in 23 minutes off the bench, hitting 6-10 from the field, 2-3 three-point field goals and 4-5 at the line. 
 
Center Amari McCray added 12 points, 11 rebounds and two blocked shots for PSU.
 
The Vikings dropped to 1-2 on the season with the loss, while Washington State improved to 5-0.
 
For the third time in as many games, the Vikings got off to a slow offensive start. PSU made 2-9 from the field in the first five minutes, falling behind 13-5, and trailed throughout the half by as many as 11.
 
The half was short on offensive highlights for both sides and ended with the Cougars leading 30-22. PSU was only 9-34 from the field (25%) and WSU was 11-27 (36%).
 
PSU's defense responded at the outset of the second half. The Vikings forced WSU into five turnovers in just over four minutes. That led to PSU's biggest run of the night, 7-0, including a pair of driving baskets from Dawson. With 16:06 to play the Viks were within 30-29.
 
Portland State kept a single-digit deficit the entire second half until a three-pointer by the Cougars' Andrej Jakimovski with 4:47 to play. That put the Cougars ahead 60-50 and the Vikings simply didn't have enough offense to come back. The closest PSU came after that was within seven points in the final minute.
 
Washington State's backcourt of Isaac Bonton and Noah Williams combined for 34 points, 10 rebounds and five assists to pace the Cougars. 
 
WSU was 24-51 from the field for a .471 mark on the game. The Cougars made 14-24 at the line (.583).
 
Portland State out-rebounded Washington State 41-36. The Vikings were also strong at the line, hitting 16-18 (.889).
 
GAME NOTES: Portland State is now 0-2 on the road this season… the Vikings have never beaten Washington State (0-9)... Portland State will open Big Sky Conference play on Friday night hosting Weber State at Viking Pavilion. Game time is 7:05 p.m. The game can be seen on Pluto TV Channel 1051, www.Pluto.tv, www.WatchBigSky.com. Live stats are available at www.ViksLive.com. The teams meet again Sunday at the Pavilion at 12:05 p.m.