Portland, OR – With its fifth win in its last six outings, Portland State has officially begun its late-season run to the Big Sky Conference Tournament. The Vikings took care of Idaho on Thursday night with relative ease, 84-64, at Viking Pavilion.
 
PSU continued its trend of stout defense with a much-improved offense. For the third straight game, the Vikings shot at 50% (28-56), while forcing the Vandals into 26 turnovers – a season-high for an opponent.
 
Portland State improved to 7-9 on the season with the win, 4-5 in the Big Sky Conference. PSU moved from 10^th place into a tie for seventh in the Big Sky standings. The Vikings will meet Idaho again on Saturday in Moscow in a noon game.
 
"Obviously, I was very pleased with this win," said Viking Coach Barret Peery. "I really liked how the guys shared the ball again tonight with 18 assists. There were stretches in the game where we were able to get to them, turn them over, and make runs to get the lead. Our shooting was good again and that is a direct reflection of the guys sharing the basketball.
 
"We also know this is a quick turnaround and Saturday will be a different story. We know they will be ready and we will expect a dogfight."
 
James Scott led a balanced effort for the Vikings with 14 points and a season-high seven assists. Backcourt mate Paris Dawson added 12 points, hitting 4-6 shots, 3-5 behind the arc, and his only free throw. Elijah Hardy came off the bench for 11 points and three steals as the Vikings made a season-high 16 in all.
 
The first half was strange to say the least. Portland State's full-court pressure rattled the Vandals, forcing them into 15 turnovers. And, despite getting 17 points off those turnovers, the Vikings led only 37-31 at intermission. The reason?
When the Vandals got a shot off, they seldom missed. Idaho hit 11-16 from the field (.688), including 5-6 three-pointers. Gabe Quinnett had 11 points with 3-3 from behind the arc.
 
In addition, PSU was getting out-rebounded 15-8.
 
The tide turned in the second half though. The Vandals couldn't maintain their hot shooting while the Vikings turned up their offense and their defense. Idaho was 10-25 shooting after the break (.400) and 0-7 from three-point range.
 
Ahead 61-47 with 11:13 to play, Portland State went on a 16-2 run for the largest lead of the night at 77-49. The Vikings cruised home from there.
 
In all, PSU scored 34 points off Idaho's 26 turnovers. Once again, the Vikings had great bench production with seven players combining to score 40 points. PSU shot .500 from the field, .375 from three-point range and .760 at the free throw line.
 
"Our success right now is predicated on the fact that the guys are finally getting comfortable playing together after the calendar we inherited early on," said Peery.
 
Idaho, which still managed to shoot .512 from the field, dropped to 0-18 on the season. The Vandals were led by 16 points from Damen Thacker.
 
GAME NOTES: Portland State is now 7-4 at home this season… Jacob Eyman blocked a season-high four shots for the Vikings… PSU plays at Idaho on Saturday in a noon game that can be seen on Pluto TV Channel 1060, www.Pluto.tv, www.WatchBigSky.com.