Portland, OR- Idaho State's men's basketball team battled the Portland State University Vikings Thursday evening. The Bengals and Vikings exchanged buckets all first half as neither team could get out in front of the other. The Bengals went into halftime leading the Vikings by two, 36-34 thanks to a last second layup by Brayden Parker. In the second half the Bengals kept it close until the six-minute mark where we saw the Vikings go on an 8-0 run to boost their lead to 10 with just three minutes remaining in the contest. The Bengals could not overcome the Vikings late surge as they lost the game 79-70. After the loss, the Bengals drop to 9-18 on the year and 6-8 in conference play. The Portland State University Vikings will jump up to 12-15 on the season and 6-8 in the Big Sky after the win.
Brayden Parker was the Bengals' leading scorer tonight as he finished with 26 points on a career-high 12 made baskets in 17 attempts from the field, two assists, two rebounds, one block, and one steal.
Brock Mackenzie put up 12 points, six assists, and two rebounds and
Miguel Tomley added 10 points, four rebounds, and five assists.
Jay Nagle also chipped in with had nine points on 4-of-5 shooting from the field, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
The Bengals finished the game shooting 52.5 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from deep making 5-of-15 shots from beyond the arc. The Bengals tallied 21 assists, 30 rebounds, and 7 steals. Portland State finished the game shooting 56.6 percent from the field and 47.1 percent from distance.
The Bengals men's basketball team will return to action Saturday, February 18
th to face off against the Sacramento State University Hornets in The Nest in Sacramento, California at 5 p.m. MDT.
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