Portland, OR – For the second time this season, Portland State couldn't match the prowess of the Eastern Washington Eagles, losing at home, 90-77, in a Big Sky Conference game.
 
Eastern Washington proved its first-place bona fides by out-shooting and out-rebounding the Vikings. Though they shot a middling 25-58 from the field for the game (.431), the Eagles had a 10-12 shooting stretch in the first half, including four three-pointers, taking control of the game and ultimately leading to their victory. 
 
Eastern maintains its spot at the top of the Big Sky Conference with a 9-1 record, 15-8 overall. The Eagles have won 11 of their last 12 games.
 
The Vikings drop to 5-5 in the Big Sky, 14-9 on the season. PSU was trying to make a clean sweep of its four-game home stand, but saw the home winning streak come to an end. Portland State had won four straight at home dating back to Jan. 13.
 
The Vikings were more than ready at the start. Eastern opened the game 1-10 from the field and PSU jumped to a 12-3 lead. The Eagles warmed up, hitting 10 of their next 12, getting the game to a 19-19 tie midway through the first half, then finally going ahead at 28-27 with seven minutes left before intermission. Soon they were up 37-27 following a streak of 11 straight points and a 25-8 run overall.
 
Besides Eastern getting warmed up on offense, the Vikings had a problem with fouls. They committed 12 in the half, allowing the Eagles to shoot 12-15 at the line. Eastern Washington led 45-32 at the break.
 
Cedric Coward hit three three-pointers early in the second half and the Eagles' lead was 19 at 56-37. Eastern led by as many as 25 and the Vikings were never closer than 13 points after that.
 
Coward led six Eagles in double figures with 26 points and 11 rebounds. 
 
Isiah Kirby continued his strong play for the Vikings, scoring 18 points with seven rebounds and four assists. Cole Farrell added a career-high 16 points and four steals off the bench, hitting 6-8 shots from the field. Kendall Munson and Bobby Harvey each scored 11 points.
 
PSU was 27-67 from the field (.403), making 8-28 from three-point range (.286). The Eagles were 13-30 from downtown (.433).
 
Eastern also held a huge advantage on the glass, out-boarding the Vikings 53-30. 

GAME NOTES

• Portland State is now 8-2 at home this season… PSU has lost its last nine meetings with Eastern Washington. 
• The Vikings forced 22 Eastern Washington turnovers, scoring 28 points off them.
• Hayden Curtiss, the leading shot blocker in the Big Sky Conference, had three more for the Vikings and now has 36 on the season.
• Ismail Habib missed his second straight game for the Vikings (ankle).
• The Vikings started their 10th different starting lineup in 23 games this season. PSU is 8-2 when starting a new lineup combination.
• Portland State will go on the road later this week, playing at Weber State on Thursday (6 p.m. PT), then Idaho State on Saturday (5 p.m. PT). Both games can be seen on ESPN+.