Feb. 17, 2005
Final Stats
Portland, OR -- Idaho State University couldn't keep up with the Portland State Vikings on PSU's senior night as the Vikings pulled away from an eight-point halftime lead to defeat Idaho State 79-58, keeping the Bengals winless on the road.
However, Idaho State's playoff hopes remain alive heading into a huge Saturday showdown with Eastern Washington. The Bengals dropped to 3-9 in the Big Sky and 9-16 overall. Northern Arizona won on Thursday to move into seventh at 4-8, while Eastern lost to Weber State, keeping them in sixth place at 4-7. The situation for Idaho State is now simple, as they must win on Saturday, and then have both Eastern and Northern Arizona lose at least one other time.
Idaho State found themselves down only eight at the half 34-26 as they held Portland State to just seven points over the final six minutes of the first half. However, the Vikings went on a 23-6 run early in the second half after ISU had cut the lead to six to make it 58-35. The Bengals, much to their nature, never gave up, and cut the lead to 12 with under three minutes to go before Portland State pulled away again late.
The Bengals got a team-high 14 from Slim Millien, and Logan Kinghorn added 10. The Vikings got 22 from senior Seamus Boxley and 20 from Blake Walker. Antone Jarrell had 14 points while Will Funn, who is second in the nation in assists dished out 14 on the night. The Bengals, who shot just .327 to Portland State's .474, were outrebounded 43-30.
Idaho State has two games left, but they must win Saturday's for sure, as they travel to Eastern Washington (7-17, 4-7) for an 8:05 Mountain Time tip-off.
Notes: The game was the first of three straight "Senior Night" road games for the Bengals ... Jeff Gardner had just one assist on the night and only nine points ... ISU hit 6-of-13 three-pointers ... Portland State never trailed in the game.
