Portland, OR - Portland State had its opportunities, but couldn't capitalize, losing a closely-contested game to University of Denver, 68-67, at Viking Pavilion.
 
In a game as tight as your uncle's belt after Thanksgiving dinner, the little things made a big difference for the Vikings. PSU had a 20-9 rebounding and 15-4 free throw attempt edge over the Pioneers in the first half, but could manage only a one-point lead at halftime, 41-40.
 
The second half opened with Denver making a mere one of its first 13 field goal attempts, but the Vikings could increase their lead by only three points. Then, when fouls became an issue for the Pioneers, the Vikings missed their last seven straight free throws in the game.
 
PSU led 63-58 with 3:52 to play. However, Denver made enough plays down the stretch, hitting four straight free throws then three field goals inside the final two minutes. 
 
The Vikings trailed 68-65 with less than a minute to go when Shane Nowell made a driving layup to cut the deficit to a single point. PSU called its final timeout and Denver had the ball with 37 seconds left. The Pioneers ran the clock all the way down to 10 seconds remaining, but lost the ball on a drive to the hoop. 
 
Nowell came up with the steal and raced up court. He got a shot up in heavy traffic in the lane that bounced out. The ball was tipped around before Jaylin Henderson gathered it in and shot a desperation three-pointer at the buzzer. His attempt missed as well and Denver escaped with a come-from-behind victory.
 
It was a painful conclusion for the Vikings who led the entire second half until 1:58 to play. The loss was PSU's first at home this season and they are now 4-5 overall. Denver improved to 5-6 on the season.
 
Henderson led the Vikings with 16 points. Terri Miller Jr. came off the bench for 14 points and seven rebounds. Nowell added 12 points and Hayden Curtiss scored 11 off the bench.
 
Isaiah Addo-Ankrah of Denver scored a game-high 21 points on 7-10 three-point field goals. Nicholas Shogbonyo tallied 19 points and six rebounds.
 
Portland State out-shot Denver from the field, .444 to .414, in the game and had a 37-30 rebounding advantage. But the Vikings managed just 14-26 at the free throw line (.538). Denver was 11-14 (.786). Three-point shooting was a factor as well with the Pioneers hitting 9-23 to 5-10 for the Vikings.
 
There were five ties and 11 lead changes in the contest as neither team held a double-digit lead at any point.
 
The game was part of the Big Sky Conference - Summit League Challenge as all teams in both leagues go head-to-head in games this week. 
 

GAME NOTES

• This was only the second meeting in history between Denver and Portland State. The previous game was a Denver win in Denver in 2011.
• Qiant Myers handed out 10 assists for the Vikings. It was his third double-digit assist game of the season.
• Tre-Vaughn Minott matched his career high with four blocked shots to go with eight points and eight rebounds.
• Portland State will be off for the next week. The next game is at home on Dec. 14 when the Vikings host Northwest Indian College at Viking Pavilion. Game time is 2 p.m. and it airs on ESPN+.