Pocatello, ID – The Bench Bunch continues to deliver for the Vikings. A career-high 16 points from Isaiah Johnson and a dozen from Bobby Harvey off Portland State's second unit led the Vikings to a 72-65 Big Sky Conference road win at Idaho State.

Portland State's bench ranks 10th in the nation in scoring at 31.4 points per outing and has scored more than 40% of the Vikings' points this season. Against Idaho State, the reserves poured in 32 points. Highlighting that effort was Johnson, a sophomore forward, who hit 7-10 shots from the field, adding four rebounds and three assists in 24 minutes. Harvey, a senior guard, made 4-6 from the field and 2-4 three-pointers with three rebounds in 21 minutes.

"We have a lot of guys who can start and can contribute," said Viking Coach Jase Coburn. "(The bench) has really stepped up when we needed them and tonight is a great example. I am proud of those guys for hanging tough all the time and being ready. It's not just one of them, it is all of them."

The Vikings were solid throughout the contest, leading for the final 31 minutes and were up by double digits for most of the second half. PSU shot .469 from the field and .826 at the line, including 15-19 in the second half when the Bengals were resorting to fouls to try to make a comeback. 

PSU's bench made 13-24 field goals (.542) and had 13 of the team's 29 rebounds. The Vikings won the battle on the backboards - a sore spot in recent games - 29-22.

Coburn was particularly pleased with his team's bounce back after a 16-point loss at Weber State on Thursday. "The bounce back was incredible. We saw it in practice yesterday, in our film sessions, at shoot-around today... it really started right after the Weber State game, so I am really proud of them for doing that."

The win improved PSU to 9-11 on the season, 3-4 in the Big Sky. Idaho State dropped to 4-3 in the Big Sky, 7-13 overall.

There were five early lead changes before Portland State's defense took hold. The Vikings held the Bengals scoreless for three-and-a-half minutes and went on a seven-point run for an 18-13 lead capped by a Johnson dunk.

PSU continued on to a very efficient offensive half. The Vikings made 14-28 from the field, 6-13 from three-point range and all four free throws while committing just three turnovers. The result was a 38-30 lead. 

Johnson and Hunter Woods combined for 21 of the Vikings' 38 points on 9-11 shots. Woods made three three-pointers.

Idaho State stayed close by making 9-17 from the field and 9-12 at the line.

Harvey continued the fine bench play for the Vikings in the second half. He hit a three-pointer and a two-pointer in an 11-0 run, giving PSU a 55-41 lead - their largest of the night - with 10:27 left in the game. Meanwhile, Idaho State went more than six minutes without a field goal.

The Bengals scored 11 points in the final minute of the game to close the margin to seven.

Cameron Parker led the way for Portland State with 17 points, six assists and four rebounds. He was only 2-3 from the field, but 13-15 at the line. Woods scored 13 points on 5-8 from the field and 3-5 from behind the arc.

Brayden Parker and Miguel Tomley each scored 17 points for the Bengals. Idaho State's bench managed only 11 points.

GAME NOTES

• The Vikings have won five straight games against Idaho State, eight of nine and 11 of the last 13. 
• The Vikings are 13-12 all-time in Big Sky games at Idaho State. It is PSU's best road record against any Big Sky team… the Vikings are 36-18 all-time against ISU in Big Sky games.
• Portland State is now 4-7 on the road this season, 1-2 in neutral site games.
• Cameron Parker moved up to 62nd on the NCAA's all-time assist list. He has 735 in his career.
• Portland State has played only six of its first 20 games at home. The Vikings now return home for four straight beginning next week. PSU hosts defending Big Sky Conference Champion Montana State on Thursday at Viking Pavilion in a 7 p.m. contest. "We are excited to get back home I appreciated our crowds last week. We need to get people out to support these guys," said Coburn.