Portland Pilots snap losing streak to PSU Vikings with 82-75 win at Viking Pavilion

Portland State Athletics game recap

Portland, OR – A close game got away from Portland State in the late-going as they were outscored 14-3 at crunch time, and lost to the University of Portland, 82-75, at Viking Pavilion.

The Pilots ended three years of frustration against PSU, beating the Vikings for the first time since 2015. Isaiah White led five Portland players in double figures with 21 points and eight assists. UP improved to 4-1 on the season.

This game looked similar to the Vikings’ 83-75 loss to Hawai’i last week where, ultimately, shooting was the difference. Portland made 28-53 from the field (.528) and 7-16 from three-point range (.438). The Pilots made just 19-30 at the line (.633), but were clutch late, hitting 16-22 in the second half. Portland State shot 27-66 (.409) and 4-18 from long range (.222). The Vikings made 17-26 the line (.654).

“It was a hard-fought game and both teams competed at high level. I give Portland a lot of credit,” said Viking Coach Barret Peery. “But we had our chances. We didn’t step up and knock down shots when we had opportunities to do so. They did and that was the difference in the game. We got 13 more possessions than them and we lose the game.”

PSU lost its third game in a row to drop to 1-3 on the season. Holland Woods led the Vikings with 22 points and five assists. He made 9-16 from the field and 3-3 at the line.

Alonzo Walker added 13 points and eight rebounds for the Vikings who were depleted of inside players. Big men Sal Nuhu and Trey Wood each went out with ankle sprains.

“The feel of the game changed when Sal and Trey both got hurt. That changes how we play when both “5” men go out of the game. It kind of messed with our rotations and how we do things. But we have to be able to withstand some adversity, respond and do a better job,” said Peery.

Portland State led by 10 on three occasions in the first half and was up 23-13 at the 8:10 mark. But, the Pilots made their final seven shots before halftime. PSU was still up by five inside the final minute. However, White buried a three-pointer, then Chase Adams made a steal and driving layup at the halftime buzzer to tie the game at 33-33.

The Vikings had runs of 11-0 and 7-0 in the half, but also suffered offensive droughts of 3:14 and 3:38. PSU got to the line more often and used a 26-17 rebound advantage to lead for more than 19 minutes before the halftime tie.

When JoJo Walker made a three-pointer to open the second half Portland had its first lead, since the first minute of the game, 36-33. Soon, the Pilots pumped their lead up to 43-35.

Rashaad Goolsby then led a Viking surge with a pair of steals. A 16-3 run put the home team back on top 51-46 with 12:33 to play. Woods had seven points and an assist in the rally.

The lead was short-lived though. Portland went back on top 56-53 on a Takiula Fahrensohn three-pointer with 8:16 left. The Pilots would never trail again.

Walker’s put-back layin with 4:24 to play made the score 64-62 Portland. It would be the last field goal the Vikings would make until inside the final minute. Portland made 7-8 free throws over the next two minutes to spark the 14-3 run.

GAME NOTES: Rashaad Goolsby made a career-high five steals in the game… PSU out-rebounded Portland, 42-33… Portland State goes on the road beginning this weekend for four games in the span of nine day. The Vikings play at San Jose State on Saturday night at 7 p.m. as part of the Las Vegas Holiday Classic.