Portland, OR – Portland State led for nearly 37 of the 45 minutes played against Montana but just didn't get the numbers right at the right time at Viking Pavilion. Thanks to a Robby Beasley three-point bomb at the regulation buzzer, the Grizzlies got the game to overtime and eventually beat the Vikings, 70-64.

It was a battle of two talented defenses. Montana came into the contest allowing only 63 points per game. PSU had given up only 55.6 over their last three. And the game resembled that ruggedness.

The Vikings led for most of the first half and by as many as seven points on two occasions. But the Grizzlies put on a 12-4 run to close out the half and lead 26-25. 

PSU then grabbed the lead back for the entire second half, leading by as many as eight. But in the final five minutes the advantage was never more than five. 

A steal and fastbreak basket by Khalid Thomas with 30 seconds left put the Vikings up 54-51. However, both teams made mistakes in the closing ticks of the clock. 

First, the Griz missed a pair of free throws. Then, the Vikings committed a turnover. Beasley missed a drive into the lane with nine seconds to play. John Hall rebounded for the Vikings and was fouled. He missed the front end of a one-and-one with eight seconds to go. A tip by Ian Burke on the miss did not go and the Griz grabbed the ball. Beasley raced up the floor and tossed in a 28-footer as the regulation horn sounded. That tied it at 54 and sent the game to overtime. 

Brandon Whitney took over in the extra session for Montana. He hit a pair of driving shots in the paint and a moment later bagged a pair of free throws. Suddenly, the Vikings were down 62-56 with a minute-and-a-half to play. They would not recover. 

Fouls extended the game and the score, but the Griz hit six in a row at the line in the final 41 seconds to hang on for the win.

PSU got a team-high 13 points from Thomas. Hall came off the bench to score 11 points with five rebounds. James Scott added 10 points and five assists. 

The Vikings shot only 25-69 from the field (.362), 6-29 from distance (.207) and had their chances at the line, but converted only 8-16. They got what they wanted on defense, forcing 24 Griz turnovers for 24 points. But there wasn't enough offense to put PSU over the top.

Montana was 24-53 from the floor (.453) and 18-22 at the line (.818). The Grizzlies won the rebound battle, 41-37.

Beasley and Whitney each had 14 points to pace Montana.

"We are extremely disappointed with the outcome tonight. Our guys were right there. They battled, they fought and gave us a great chance to win. We just weren't able to finish it off," said Viking Coach Barret Peery. "Give Montana a lot of credit for hanging in until the end. We look forward to another great game with them on Saturday."

Portland State dropped to 4-9 on the season, 2-5 in the Big Sky. Montana is 8-8, 4-5.

GAME NOTES: The Vikings had 12 steals with three from Thomas… PSU was without center Amari McCray, who injured his knee in practice this week. He is expected to be out for the season… Portland State hosts Montana again this Saturday at 12:05 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.