Portland, OR – It was just another evening of mayhem at The Ship. And that's the way the Vikings like it. The result was an 82-72 overtime win against second-place Northern Colorado at Viking Pavilion.
 
Portland State built a 21-point, second-half lead over Northern Colorado, gave it all back to the Big Sky Conference's top scoring team, then proceeded to win the game going away in the extra session.
 
Bobby Harvey had a career-game for the Vikings, scoring 26 points with eight rebounds, to lead the way. KJ Allen had 15 points and eight rebounds, including a clutch go-ahead jumper with 23 seconds left in regulation, and four straight free throws in overtime.
 
The win for Portland State was much-needed. It ended a three-game losing streak and improved PSU's record to 15-11 on the season. That is the most wins by a Viking team since an 18-14 season back in 2019-20. PSU also improved to 6-7 in the Big Sky and is now tied for sixth place with Idaho State. 
 
The game started very well for the Vikings. Like he has before this season, center Hayden Curtiss ignited the Pavilion crowd with his shot-blocking prowess. Immediately upon entering the game, Curtiss blocked three shots in three consecutive defensive possessions, each leading to a Viking hoop. The first two were three-pointers by Ismail Habib and the third was a score inside by Curtiss. That had the Vikings ahead 16-5 just six minutes into the game and forced a Bears' timeout.
 
Out of the timeout a pair of three-pointers by Harvey pushed the lead to 22-5. In all, the Vikings mounted a 17-point run
 
Northern Colorado is the Big Sky's top-scoring team though. And, the reigning Big Sky Player of the Week, Dejour Reaves, warmed up for the Bears. Over one stretch he scored 14 straight points, cutting the Viking lead all the way down to 28-24.
 
PSU had its own spark plug in the person of Harvey. The senior guard made five three-pointers in the first half, reaching his Portland State career high of 22 points before the break. Harvey was 7-11 from the field, including 6-9 from three-point range.
 
Portland State led 42-32 at intermission.

"Bobby got hot in the first half and we were able to score a lot of points," said Viking Coach Jase Coburn.
 
Northern Colorado did not commit a turnover in the first half, but had five in the opening three minutes of the second half. That allowed the Vikings to extend their lead to 53-32.
 
PSU led 56-35 with 15 minutes remaining in the game and was looking good for a home victory. But the Vikings went ice cold. Once again, Reeves paced the Bears with eight points in a 26-6 run. The lead shrunk to 62-61 with 4:48 left.
 
When Riley Abercrombie scored on a turnaround jumper with 2:56 to play, UNC had its first lead of the night at 63-62.
 
The teams traded the lead three times in the final two minutes. The final time came when Allen hit a jumper to give Portland State a 66-65 advantage with 23.6 seconds left. Following a UNC miss, Habib was fouled and made both free throws with 8.8 seconds to play. 
 
PSU was up by three, but Reaves raced up the court and hit a three-pointer to tie with just three seconds left, sending the game to overtime.
 
The Vikings responded in the extra session. They made three of six shots from the field and seven of eight free throws. Meanwhile, it was now the Bears' turn to go cold, making only 1-12 shots in overtime.
 
"Our defense carried us in overtime," said Coburn. "I am proud of how they scrapped through it and found a way to win.
 
"We had a bunch of chances to fold tonight - when they came back in the first half and when they came back in the second half. And then again in overtime, after they hit an emotional shot at the end of regulation to tie it. So, I'm proud of the guys for fighting through adversity."
 
After shooting well early, the Vikings finished at 27-73 from the field (.370). Northern Colorado was 29-78 (.372). The teams tied in the rebounding department, 49-49.
 
Reaves finished with a game-high 27 points. Saint Thomas had 14 points and 14 rebounds for the Bears. 
 
UNC dropped to 15-10 on the season, 8-4 in the Big Sky.
 

GAME NOTES

• In his first game in three weeks, Ismail Habib scored 14 points with five rebounds, five assists and two steals.
• Hayden Curtiss finished with four blocked shots and now has 41 on the season - ninth-most for a season in PSU history… Curtiss leads the Big Sky in blocked shots at 2.3 in league games.
• Portland State started its 13th different starting lineup in 26 games.
• The Vikings are now 9-2 at home this season… PSU is 2-0 in overtime games this season.
• PSU ended a five-game losing streak to the Bears.
• Portland State is at home on Saturday, hosting Northern Arizona at 4 p.m. The game can be seen on ESPN+.