Portland, OR – A Portland State rally in the final four minutes came up agonizingly short as the Vikings took a 61-58 non-conference loss to Cal Poly at Viking Pavilion.
 
PSU trailed 60-50 with 3:57 to play after a driving three-point play by the Mustangs' Camren Pierce. But defense gave the Vikings a chance as they threw on a ¾ court, then full-court, trap.
 
Big man James Jean-Marie scored inside with 3:43 to play, and followed that with a pair of free throws on the Vikings' next possession. Those scores were sandwiched around a Cal Poly turnover. It was the first of four straight turnovers forced by PSU's pressure.
 
Michael Carter III was fouled twice on drives to the hoop in the final two minutes. He made all four free throws and the score was 60-58 with 32.7 seconds to play.
 
PSU nearly forced a fifth turnover, but instead fouled Cal Poly's Kobe Sanders. He made one of two free throws with 25.8 ticks on the clock and it was 61-58.
 
After a Carter three-point miss, the Mustangs' Jacob Davison was fouled. He missed both attempts and PSU still had life.
 
Paris Dawson got a good look at a tying three as he came off a screen, but the shot rimmed out. A last-second desperation attempt was never close and the Vikings were sent to defeat.
 
Carter led PSU with a season-high 20 points, hitting 5-10 from the field, 2-3 from three-point range and 8-12 at the line. Jean-Marie had 14 points on 5-9 from the field, 1-1 three-pointers and 3-6 free throws.
 
Davison had 16 points and six rebounds to lead Cal Poly.
 
Portland State could point to shooting as their ultimate demise. PSU shot 9-27 (.333) from the field with 12 turnovers in the first half. Cal Poly was only slightly better at 9-24 (.375) and nine turnovers. The Mustangs led 27-21 at the break.
 
The Vikings warmed up in the second half, hitting eight of their first 13 shots. Cal Poly was nearly as good, making seven of their first 12 to maintain a lead. The Vikings got within a point, but gradually the Mustangs built it back to 10 before PSU rallied at the end.
 
PSU was 20-53 from the field for the game (.377), 5-17 from distance (.294) and 13-21 at the free throw line (.619). Cal Poly hit 19-46 (.413), but made 6-11 from three-point range (.545) and 17-22 at the line (.773).
 
The loss drops the Vikings to 3-5 on the season. Cal Poly improved to 3-6.
 
GAME NOTES

• James Jean-Marie did not get double figures in rebounds for the first time all season. However, he did grab nine boards to go with three blocked shots and his 14 points. He leads the Big Sky Conference at 10.6 per game.
• Michael Carter III's 20 points were the most by a Viking this season. He added three rebounds, three assists and two steals.
• Portland State leads the all-time series with Cal Poly, 5-4. It was the first time the Mustangs have won in Portland (1-4).
• The home game with Cal Poly came in the midst of a stretch of five out of six on the road. It was the Vikings only home game between Nov. 23 and Dec. 30.
• Portland State goes back on the road next week, playing a Dec. 18 game at CSUN.