Portland, OR – It wasn't the same offensive night that Portland State has gotten used to, but the result was the same. The Vikings defeated Sacramento State, 73-65, behind another season-high scoring performance from Ezekiel Alley.
 
PSU notched its fourth win in a row. The first three came on excellent shooting and 94.0 points per game. This one was more of a grinder with defense winning day. The Vikings' full-court pressure forced Sacramento State into 24 turnovers for 26 points keying the victory.
 
Alley had another big night with a season-high 26 points on 10-18 from the field, 4-8 from three-point range and 2-3 at the line. Alley had season highs of 22, then 23 points in the previous two starts.
 
Coach Jase Coburn lauded the play of his senior guard, who has averaged 23.7 points over the last three games. "It has a lot to do with confidence," he said. "We have been trying to put him in better situations and better spots and he has responded and is playing very well."
 
For all the shots Alley hit, defense was the difference. The Vikings made 16 steals on the night. Ian Burke and Alley had five each to lead the way. The defensive pressure was too much for the Hornets, who otherwise shot the ball well… when they got shots. The 62 points allowed were the fewest by the Vikings in nine games.
 
Marlon Ruffin made an impact off the bench again for the Vikings. After getting 20 in a Thursday win at Northern Colorado, Ruffin scored 13 points with three rebounds and two steals. Khalid Thomas scored 11 points with a team-high eight rebounds and two steals as well.
 
"We have been chameleons," said Coburn. "We are confident playing any kind of style. In previous games we played at a faster pace. In this game we played at a slower pace but our defense was able to handle that style. We're willing to get in a shootout and willing to get in grind outs."
 
Portland State improved to 6-7 in the Big Sky Conference, passing Eastern Washington (5-7) and moving into sixth place. PSU is 8-13 overall this season.
 
The Hornets came out of the blocks red hot, making seven of eight shots from the field, including three three-pointers, and built a 17-11 lead. PSU kept it close by forcing turnovers. The Hornets had nine in 11 minutes, and 15 by halftime. Burke had three of PSU's nine first-half steals.
 
The most important thing Sacramento State accomplished in the first half was slowing down the game. The Vikings averaged 94.0 points in their previous three games – all wins. But the Hornets played a half-court game and drained the shot clock as often as possible.
 
An Alley three-pointer gave the Vikings a 25-22 lead at the 4:22 mark of the first half. It was PSU's first advantage of the game and part of a 16-3 run in which Alley scored seven. The Vikings were ahead 35-30 at intermission.
 
The Hornets came back early in the second half and led briefly, 37-36. But the Viking pressure kept forcing turnovers. An 11-0 run midway through the half got the Vikings to a relatively comfortable 58-46 advantage with 7:20 to play.
 
The lead stayed double digits until inside the final two minutes. The Hornets briefly cut their deficit to six but never seriously threatened.
 
PSU shot 23-54 from the field (.426), 8-21 from three-point range (.381) and 19-26 at the line (.731) in the game. The Vikings had only 11 turnovers.
 
Sacramento State was 23-49 (.469), 9-17 (.529) and 10-13 (.769). Bryce Fowler scored 21 points to lead the Hornets who are now 6-13 on the season, 2-10 in the Big Sky.
 

GAME NOTES

• Once again, Portland State was down a couple of starters. Michael Carter III (trapezoid) and Mikal Starks (ankle) were unable to play. The Vikings did return forward Hayden Curtiss, who had been out with a broken finger, to the lineup. Curtiss had three rebounds, a blocked shot and a dunk in 12 minutes of play.
• Ian Burke had another good all-around game for the Vikings with seven points, five rebounds, three assists and five steals.
• Portland State beat Sacramento State, 67-62, in Sacramento on Jan. 15. The Vikings have won four of the last five meetings with the Hornets.
• Portland State goes on the road next week, playing games at Montana State (Thursday) and Montana (Saturday).