Missoula, MT – The dam finally broke on Portland State’s defense as the University of Montana defeated the Vikings, 92-78, at Dahlberg Arena.
PSU had been allowing less than 60 points per game and forcing 37% shooting in a run of nine wins in the last 11 games. But the Grizzlies came out red-hot on Thursday night and got even hotter in the second half. Portland State ended up allowing the most points since the season-opener at Washington State.
Montana was 35-55 from the field (.636) including a blistering 17-23 in the second half (.739). The Griz hit from all over, making 10-15 three-pointers (.667) and 12-13 free throws (.923).
For their part, the Vikings also shot extremely well, making 31-56 from the field for a .554 mark. They hit 19-27 (.704) in the second half and it still wasn’t good enough to catch the Griz.
The loss nullified a pair of big performances by PSU. Qiant Myers scored a Viking-best 28 points on 11-18 from the field with four assists. Terri Miller Jr. set a new career high with 25 points, making 10-15 shots from the field. He also had seven rebounds.
It was a tough loss for the Vikings. The winner of the game would be the second-place team in the Big Sky. Montana entered ½ game ahead of the Vikings in the standings, and now are 1 ½ ahead. PSU is 13-8 on the season, 5-3 in the Sky. Montana improved to 14-8, 7-2.
Early in the game, Miller proved unstoppable. He scored 14 points on 6-7 shots through the first 11 minutes of the game.
The game was tied at 23-23 after a Miller basket inside. Montana followed with an eight-point run for a 31-23 lead. The Vikings would not get closer than five points after that.
Montana led 44-33 at halftime after shooting a sparkling 18-32 in the first half (.563). PSU was 12-29 from the field (.414).
Three turnovers in the first four possessions of the second half by the Vikings prevented them from ever getting back into it… or was it the Griz torrid shooting?
Either way, the Vikings only once got the lead to single digits, and it was brief. Montana’s largest lead was 18 points.
The Grizzlies had six players in double figures. Brandon Whitney led the way with 19 points, making 8-9 from the field.
GAME NOTES
- Tre-Vaughn Minott led the Vikings with seven rebounds.
- PSU is now 4-6 on the road this season… the Grizzlies are 11-1 at home.
- Portland State travels to Montana State on Saturday. The Vikings meet in a game that starts at 6 p.m. MT/5 p.m. PT. It can be seen on ESPN+.