After a season-long slump in three-point shooting, the Vikings’ men’s basketball team finally found their touch.
Charles Odum made four of his team’s 13 3-pointers as the Vikings (8-9, 2-3) knocked off Northern Colorado 86-75 to earn their first road victory of the season.
The Vikings shot a remarkable 19 for 26 in the first half, including 9-12 from the three-point range. At one point, the Vikings made 17 of their first 21 shots, propelling them to a 49-36 halftime lead.
Lateef McMullan spearheaded a hot Viking offense. He scored 16 points and 6-6 from the field, including 2-2 from beyond the arc.
“That first half we played was as good as we’ve played all year,” said head coach Tyler Geving. “We shared the basketball and that’s how we got open shots.”
After seniors Chehales Tapscott and Nate Lozeau got into foul trouble in the first half, McMullan and fellow backcourt members Odum and Michael Harthun picked up the slack. The three guards combined for 60 of the Vikings’ 86 points, including nine 3-pointers and 15 free throws.
PSU maintained its double-digit advantage for most of the second half. A few late turnovers by the Vikings allowed the Bears to get within six points, but the Vikings would hang on for the nine-point win.
The Vikings were 0-8 on the road this year, last winning at Seattle in their final game of the 2010–11 season. They went to nine Big Sky road games without a win since a Jan. 2, 2011 victory at Idaho State.
McMullan’s 20 points was a new career high, and he added a game-high six assists and five rebounds.
“Lateef did a phenomenal job making his jump shots and setting up the other guys,” said Odum.
Mike Proctor and Connor Osborne each scored 16 for the Bears. Northern Colorado is now 5-10 on the season, 2-2 in the Big Sky.
The Vikings played Idaho State Jan. 16 at the Stott Center; results were not available at press time. Portland State leads the all-time series, 25-15. The Bengals are 3-13 on the season heading into the match up.