Blowout Win Moves PSU Closer to Big Sky Tournament

Deonte Huff led PSU with 23 points and 10 rebounds.

Salem-News.com SPORTS

PORTLAND - The Portland State Vikings took one step closer to the Big Sky Conference tournament with a blowout home victory over Sacramento State.

Six Vikings scored in double figures in a 100-73 win at the Stott Center.

Portland State improved to 17-12 on the season, 8-7 in the Big Sky Conference. Eastern Washington also won on Thursday, beating Idaho State, to get to 7-8.

So, the Vikings are not guaranteed a playoff spot yet although they currently hold on to the sixth seed.

The Vikings led wire-to-wire as they quickly built the lead to double digits in the first six minutes of the game.

Deonte Huff scored 10 points in a run that got the Vikings to a 26-8 lead with 10:18 left in the half.

The lead grew to 22, but the Hornets trimmed it to 11 by halftime at 42-31.

Sacramento State then came within nine early in the second half before the Vikings pulled away.

Scott Morrison led the charge with 14 points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots in the final 14 minutes.

Huff led Portland State with 23 points and 10 rebounds, hitting 10-13 from the field.

Morrison came off the bench for 16 points, nine rebounds and five blocks.

Anthony Washington, making his third straight start of the year, had 14 points and a career-high four blocked shots.

Juma Kamara added 14 points, Paul Hafford and Dupree Lucas each scored 11.

PSU shot 54% in the game and 85% at the line. The Vikings also outrebounded the Hornets 48-31.

The Vikings' win ended a three-game losing streak to the Hornets who were eliminated from playoff contention.

It also marked the first time PSU had scored 100 points in a conference game since scoring 101 in a win over Northern Arizona on Jan. 15th, 2000.

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