Greeley, CO – Another career-high scoring performance by Vikings point guard Cameron Parker wasn't enough as Portland State dropped a Big Sky Conference game at Northern Colorado, 88-79.
 
Parker, the reigning Big Sky Conference Player of the Week, had 32 points on a remarkable shooting performance. He made 10-12 from the field, including all three three-point attempts and 9-12 at the free throw line. Parker's previous career high was 29 points against Eastern Washington last Saturday.
 
The only other Viking in double figures was Isiah Kirby, who scored 12 points off the bench.
 
PSU couldn't stop the Bears though, as they ran up 88 points on 35-60 (.583) shooting from the field. Northern Colorado was particularly effective getting to the basket as the Bears scored 56 points inside. Northern Colorado never led by more than 11 points but also never trailed in the game.
 
Portland State lost its second game in a row and fourth in the last five outings. PSU is 10-15 on the season, 4-8 in the Big Sky. The Vikings remain in seventh place, just one-half game ahead of UNC (9-16, 4-9).
 
Despite a poor offensive start, the Vikings stayed close to the Bears in the first half. PSU struggled to stop dribble penetration by Northern Colorado as the Bears scored 26 points in the paint, many on drives to the rim. 
 
Parker finally warmed up offensively and his teammates followed. He scored 14 points in the half, hitting all three of his three-pointers, while adding four rebounds and two assists. The Viking bench was strong as well, with 17 points and 12 rebounds in the opening half. PSU shot only .371 in the half compared to .531 for the Bears, but were down just 42-39 at halftime. 
 
A 16-6 run early in the second half pushed Northern Colorado to its largest lead at 60-49 with just over 11 minutes left. 
 
Still down 11 with just over five minutes to play, the Vikings ran off eight in a row with the first five from Parker, then a three-pointer by Kirby. That made the score 75-72 with 3:57 left.
 
Matt Johnson, who scored 16 points for the Bears, answered with a basket inside to end the Viking rally.
 
Portland State pulled within three points on three more occasions down the stretch, but could never get closer. Trailing 82-79 with 1:47 left, the Vikings had five empty possessions to close out the game.
 
Daylen Kountz scored 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds for the Bears. Dalton Knecht, the Big Sky's leading scorer had 20 points and seven rebounds.
 
Portland State finished at 28-66 from the field (.424) and was out-rebounded 38-32.
 

GAME NOTES

• Cameron Parker had his fifth straight game of more than 20 points. He has led the team in scoring in 10 straight games. Over the last five games he has averaged 25.4 points and 6.6 assists, making 42-71 shots from the field (.592).
• Jorell Saterfield led the Vikings with nine rebounds. 
• PSU's bench scored 37 points with 17 rebounds. In addition to Kirby, Isaiah Johnson and Bobby Harvey had eight points each.
• Bobby Harvey hit two three-point field goals for his 21st consecutive game with a three.
• Northern Colorado swept the season series after also defeating the Vikings, 69-67, on Jan. 14 in Portland…. The last seven meetings with the Bears have been decided by single digits, PSU has won four of those games.
• Portland State plays at Northern Arizona on Saturday afternoon. The Vikings play the Lumberjacks in a 1 p.m. PT game that can be seen on ESPN+.