Portland, OR – There was Big Senior Energy in the building on Senior Night at Viking Pavilion. KJ Allen brought it and his senior teammates followed. They led the Portland State Vikings to a home finale victory over Idaho, 72-57, and a first-round bye in the upcoming Big Sky Conference Tournament.
 
There was senior KJ Allen making three three-point plays in the first three minutes of the game - two of the old-school variety and a third from the deep right corner of the court. There was senior Bobby Harvey - the Big Sky leader in three-pointers made - following that up with a fast-break three. There was senior Keshaun Saunders with a quick assist, then forcing an Idaho turnover on the full court press. And soon the Vikings led the Vandals, 18-6. They held that lead for the remainder of the game, and almost entirely by double-digits.
 
That's right, Big Senior Energy.
 
"We saw in practice yesterday that the energy would be there for Senior Night. I really felt like they were going to get out to a good start, play hard and with passion," said Viking Coach Jase Coburn. "That start was electric."
 
The six Viking seniors set the tone and the six underclassmen followed the way as PSU wrapped up the regular season with a 17-14 record, 8-10 in the Big Sky. The Vikings will take the sixth seed in the Big Sky Tourney and play number-three seed Montana on Monday, Mar. 11 in a quarterfinal round game.
 
For Allen's part, he matched his career high with 27 points on 10-18 from the field, 1-3 from three-point range and 6-6 at the free throw line. Allen's game-high 10 rebounds made for his seventh double-double of the season. 
 
"KJ is so talented and can do so many different things," Coburn said. "I remember the first week he was with us last summer, I was like 'whoa', he can do so many things, he can pass, dribble, shoot. Fortunately, he has been able to unlock that and show what he can do. Even more so, he is a tremendous teammate and person."
 
The first half was all Portland State. After the Vikings' quick start, they led by double digits most of the first half and by as many as 21. 
 
PSU forced 12 Idaho turnovers and out-rebounded the Vandals 20-13 in the half. That got the Vikings almost twice as many field goal attempts (35 to 19). PSU was 16-35 from the field (.457) and made six three-pointers, leading 45-27 at intermission. Allen led the way with 13 points, seven rebounds and two assists in 15 minutes of action.
 
Portland State was up 57-37 with 12:10 to play. That's when a nine-point Idaho run made things interesting. But the Vikings responded and never allowed the Vandals to get closer. PSU essentially burned the clock out over the final four minutes of the game.
 
"We talked about not taking our foot off the gas and the press really helped us tonight," said Coburn.
 
The Vikings were 26-60 from the field overall (.433) and out-rebounded Idaho, 39-25. They forced 18 Vandal turnovers for 19 Viking points.
 
Junior Isaiah Johnson came off the bench for nine points, 10 rebounds, three assists and three steals.
 
D'Angelo Minnis led Idaho with 16 points. Tyler Linhardt scored 12 off the bench. 
 
Idaho finished the regular season at 11-20 overall, 5-13 in the Big Sky and will be the number-nine seed in the Big Sky Tournament. 

GAME NOTES

• In a pre-game ceremony, Portland State honored six seniors playing in their final home game: KJ Allen, Keshaun Saunders, Hunter Woods, Isiah Kirby, Jorell Saterfield and Bobby Harvey. 
• Portland State's 11-2 home record marks its best winning percentage in 15 seasons (.846)... the 11 home wins are the most in four seasons… the 17 total wins are the most in six seasons… with a 17-14 season so far, the Vikings are guaranteed a winning record.
• Head Coach Jase Coburn started his 14th different starting lineup of the season… PSU is 10-4 when going with new starters. 
• Portland State beat Idaho, 77-72, on Dec. 30 in Moscow... the Vikings have beaten Idaho five times in a row, eight of the last nine meetings and 10 of the last 12. 
• Next Monday's quarterfinal game against Montana (21-10, 12-6) will be played at Idaho Central Arena in Boise. Tip-off is 8 p.m. MT/7 p.m. PT and the game can be seen on ESPN+. The teams split the regular season series with each winning on its home floor.