Portland, OR – Sterling shooting overcame a handful of sins for the Portland State Vikings as they pulled out a 93-80 non-conference victory over Cal State Bakersfield at Viking Pavilion.
 
PSU shot 33-55 from the field (.600) and 10-18 from three-point range (.556) in the game. And that was good, because they committed 22 fouls and three unfortunate technicals that gave the Roadrunners a host of free throws in the first half. Then, the Vikings had to overcome a red-hot second half by CSUB's Dailin Smith. The senior guard scored 26 of his game-high 30 points after intermission, pulling the Roadrunners close - for a while - before PSU pulled out the win. 
 
The Vikings' "big three" had a big night as seniors Jaylin Henderson, Terri Miller Jr. and Tre-Vaughn Minott combined for 64 of the Vikings 93 total points. They made 24-36 from the field (.667), 4-7 three-pointers (.571) and 12-14 at the line (.857) as a group. Henderson tallied a season-high 28 points with five assists and two steals. Miller went for 20 points, five rebounds and five assists. And Minott matched his career-high for the second game in a row with 16 points.
 
"It's pretty cool to look at different matchups and put these guys in spots to be successful," said Coach Jase Coburn. "They have to do the little things too, and they do that, which inspires the other guys on the team. Those three really stepped up tonight."
 
Portland State improved to 2-2 on the season with the win, and recorded its 13th consecutive win at Viking Pavilion. Bakersfield dropped to 2-3.
 
The Vikings roared to a 22-10 lead, making nine of their first 11 shots. Henderson and Miller were particularly active with a combined 12 points on 5-5 shots and four assists in that span.
 
The Roadrunners crept back in behind a parade to the free throw line as the Vikings committed nine fouls, including a pair of technicals in the first 10 minutes. That gave Bakersfield 16 free throw attempts and it pulled within 25-21. Foul trouble also sent Miller and Henderson to the bench for much of the half.
 
Minott scored seven points late in the half for the Vikings as they got back to a 42-32 advantage at intermission. PSU was 15-26 from the field (.577) while the 'Runners were only 8-26 (.308).
 
Shooting turned around in the second half. Bakersfield hit seven of its first nine on a 17-9 run. Smith scored 11 in the rally and pulled the Roadrunners within 51-49.
 
PSU's tenuous lead remained at single digits for 16 minutes of the second half. Bakersfield was once again within two at 69-67 with eight minutes to play. But a 16-4 flurry - with a combined 11 points from Henderson and Miller - held the Roadrunners off. That tandem combined for 31 in the second half. 
 
PSU made 18-29 shots in the second half (.621) and 10-12 at the line (.833) when they were needed. Bakersfield nearly matched the Viks at 17-29 (.586) and 10-12 (.833).
 
The Vikings won the battle on the glass, 33-27, and forced CSUB into 17 turnovers.
 
CJ Hardy added 21 points and seven assists for the Roadrunners.
 

GAME NOTES

• Keyon Kensie Jr. had nine points, a team-high eight rebounds and two blocked shots… Kelcy Phipps (6 pts, 2 reb, 2 st) and Sebastian Tidor (8 pts, 4 reb, 2 ast) were strong off the bench for the Vikings.
• The all-time series between the schools is tied 4-4. PSU has won games each of the last two seasons.
• Portland State has won 13 straight home games, and has led wire-to-wire in 10 of its last 16 home games, dating to the start of last season… the Vikings are 26-3 at home since the start of the 2023-24 season.
• Portland State is home again on Wednesday night when it hosts Evergreen State College at Viking Pavilion. Game time is 7 p.m. and it can be seen on ESPN+.