Ogden, UT – Weber State turned the tables on Portland State from the previous meeting this season between the teams, coming away with an 84-72 win at Dee Events Center.
 
A month ago in Portland, the Vikings roared out to a 24-point lead on the Wildcats then held on after a furious comeback to win, 69-66. On this night, the Wildcats led by as many as 23 in the first half. PSU's comeback wasn't quite as dramatic, coming within eight points before succumbing to the Wildcats.
 
Weber State's Dillon Jones had 20 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists to lead the way. The Wildcats shot .528 from the field, including .529 from three-point range - numbers the Vikings couldn't come close to matching - in getting the win.
 
Isaiah Johnson had a career-high 20 points with seven rebounds and two steals, getting most of his work done in the second half as the Vikings tried to forge a comeback. KJ Allen added 14 points and five rebounds.
 
The Big Sky Conference season has reached the point where tournament positioning hinges more prominently on every game. The Vikings and Wildcats entered the game tied for fifth at 5-5. And, despite PSU beating Weber State earlier in the season, this game was all Wildcats. 
 
Weber State moves into a tie for fourth place at 6-5 with Montana State. The two teams are only a game-and-a-half out of second place (Northern Colorado, 7-3). Portland State falls to sixth at 5-6, though still only two-and-a-half games out of second place. PSU falls to 14-10 on the season, while Weber State goes to 15-9.
 
Portland State went nearly six minutes before making its first field goal of the game. By then the Vikings trailed 13-2. Midway through the first half, Weber State had roared to a 30-8 lead.
 
The Wildcats dominated the half, leading 45-26 at intermission. They shot 18-27 from the field (.667), hitting 7-10 from three-point range. The Vikings made only 10-34 shots from the field (.294).
 
Portland State chipped away and got as close as 75-67 following a pair of KJ Allen free throws with 3:09 to play.
 
The Wildcats scored the next five points and were able to hold the Vikings off down the stretch.
 
PSU was out-shot in the game, hitting 27-69 from the field (.391) and 4-15 from distance (.267).
 

GAME NOTES

• Keshaun Saunders had 10 points, five rebounds and two assists in a strong performance off the bench. 
• The Vikings started their 11th different lineup in 24 games this season.
• Point guard Ismail Habib missed his third straight game with an ankle injury.
• Portland State won the first meeting between the teams, 69-66, on Jan. 13 in Portland.
• PSU is now 5-7 on the road this season… the Vikings are only 4-24 all-time in Big Sky games at Weber State.
• Portland State moves on to play at Idaho State on Saturday (5 p.m. PT) in a game televised on ESPN+. It will be the Vikings fourth game in eight days.