Bear Trappers

The matchup between the two highest scoring teams in the Big Sky Conference turned out to be a defensive struggle, but in the end the Vikings prevailed on the road over Northern Colorado, 57-43.

After an eight-day layoff following their defeat over Idaho State on Jan. 10, the Vikings looked sluggish but were sparked by timely shooting and their best defensive performance of the season en route to winning their ninth consecutive conference road game.

The 47 points were the fewest allowed by the Vikings this season, but the 57-point total was also the squads’ low point total this year.

Portland State had managed to score 66 points on Baylor, 83 at Washington and 77 in a victory over Gonzaga. The squad is averaging nearly 75 points per contest.

With the victory, head coach Ken Bone’s squad improved to 5-1 and maintains a half game lead over Weber State, who lost earlier in the weekend to Montana State.

Neither team found a consistent offensive rhythm in the first half, as some relentless defense by both teams led to a one-point lead at halftime for the Vikings, 27-26.

“I thought Northern Colorado did a great job the first 10 or 12 minutes. They did a great job with their defense,” Bone said.

In a trend that Viking fans have seen throughout this season, the squad’s second-half adjustments provided the difference in the game.

Senior guard Andre Murray’s tremendous hustle and ability to score the basketball despite the physicality of the game helped the Vikings establish themselves on offense during the second half.

Murray led all scorers with 15 points but had four steals, several of which led to easy transition buckets for Portland State.

Junior forward Tyrell Mara may have also contributed his most solid performance of the season, hitting all three of his three-point attempts en route to nine points in just 12 minutes. 

The Vikings continued to battle injuries as junior forward Kyle Coston played despite pain from losing two teeth in a practice earlier in the week.

Junior guard Dominic Waters also was battling through pain, his inflicted by flu-like symptoms. Coston and Waters combined for just five total points.

Senior point guard Mickey Polis earned the start for the Vikings after fellow senior Jeremiah Dominguez was late to catch the team bus on Saturday morning. Dominguez struggled in his role coming off the bench, shooting just one for eight and accumulating just five points and two assists.

Northern Colorado was led by junior forward Neil Kingman, who finished with 14 points, while senior center Jabril Banks tallied eight points and eight rebounds in the loss. The Bears shot just 27 percent from the field and 21 percent from beyond the three-point line.

“We held them to 17 points in the second half on their home court, so I am very pleased with that,” Bone said.