Milwaukee, WI – For the second game in a row, the Portland State Vikings were overwhelmed by a hot-shooting opponent, losing to St. Thomas, 91-65, in the second game of the Cream City Challenge.
 
The Tommies shot .545 from the field and made 12 three-point field goals in the game. The Summit League opponent took control early and never looked back. St. Thomas improved to 4-3 with the win while the Vikings dropped to 2-3.
 
Meanwhile, what was a dynamic offense the first three games of the season for the Vikings, has turned cold. PSU went to the three-game tournament in Milwaukee shooting .569 as a team, but has now shot .429 and .322 in successive losses.
 
Cole Farrell led the Vikings' offense with 12 points. Isaiah Johnson and Shane Nowell scored 10 points each.
 
Playing just 15 hours after the completion of their Friday night game against Milwaukee, the Vikings had to have tired legs.
 
St. Thomas hit nine of 12 shots to start the game and jumped to a 22-9 lead after eight minutes. Meanwhile, the Vikings were in a 1-11 shooting stretch.
 
The Tommies seemingly didn't miss in the first half, making 19-31 from the field (.613), 8-12 from three-point range (.667) and 7-7 the line. The Vikings trailed 53-21 at the break.
 
The second half offered little drama as the Vikings never got closer than 25 points.
 
For the game, PSU was 19-59 from the field (.322) and a mere 4-25 from three-point range (.160). Rebounding was virtually even with St. Thomas holding a 36-35 edge.
 
Ben Nau led the Tommies in scoring with 18 points.
 
GAME NOTES
Tre-Vaughn Minott and Isaiah Johnson led the Vikings in rebounding with seven each… for the second game in row, Minott blocked three shots.
Portland State plays its final game in the Cream City Challenge tomorrow at 11 a.m. CT/9 a.m. PT when the Vikings take on Wofford of the Southern Conference. The game is available on YouTube. Check the GoViks.com basketball schedule page for a link.