Pocatello, ID – A career-high 28 points by Terri Miller Jr. was not enough for the short-handed Portland State Vikings as they dropped a Big Sky Conference game at Idaho State, 82-74.
 
Idaho State was just a little bit better across the board as they out-shot the Vikings, .527 to .475, out-rebounded them, 32-27, and forced more turnovers than they gave up, 11-10.
 
Miller was nearly unstoppable in the post for PSU, hitting 11-17 shots and 5-6 free throws. But the Bengals answered with five players in double figures. Included was a 16-point, 13-assist, seven-rebound game from Dylan Darling.
 
The Vikings were without senior forward Hayden Curtiss for the 10th time in 11 games, then lost senior center Tre-Vaughn Minott to an injury with 11:50 left in the game. PSU hung in there, cutting a 16-point deficit to seven on numerous occasions, but didn't have enough to get all the way back. 
 
The loss dropped PSU to 8-6 in Big Sky Conference play. The Vikings remain in third place but are now just a game ahead of Idaho, Idaho State and Montana State (all 7-7). PSU is 16-11 on the season.
 
It was a big win for Idaho State as the Bengals are battling to move up the standings. ISU is now 12-13 on the season.
 
PSU was up 12-6 just four minutes into the game. But Connor Hollenbeck's 11 points led the Bengals on a 14-2 run. They led 23-16 after eight minutes of play. Miller answered with 11 for the Vikings to keep the game close.
 
It was a single-digit game throughout the first half and tied at 29-29 with 6:15 on the clock. From there, the Bengals went on a 15-2 run to close out the half. The Vikings, who had been over 50% shooting, made only one of their last eight attempts from the field.
 
Hollenbeck had 14 at halftime while Miller had 13 for the Vikings.
 
Idaho State increased its lead to 49-33 early in the second half before the Vikings started a comeback. The final 10 minutes was a single-digit deficit but PSU was unable to sustain a rally and seriously threaten the Bengals.
 
Qiant Myers tallied 21 points and three assists for the Vikings. Isaiah Johnson added 12 points. 
 

GAME NOTES

• With two more dunks, Tre-Vaughn Minott established a new Portland State record for dunks in a season with 42.
• Portland State defeated Idaho State at Viking Pavilion, 76-59, on Jan. 25.
• The Vikings are now 5-9 on the road this season.
• The Vikings move to Weber State on Saturday for their final road game of the season. The Vikings and Wildcats meet at 2 p.m. MT/1 p.m. PT. The game airs on ESPN+.