Vikings Knock Off Cal Poly, 74-66

With the win, Portland State improves to 7-4 on the season, 3-0 at home.

Mickey Polis had a season-high 15 points in the win. Photo courtesy: Portland State Athletics

PORTLAND, Ore. - Getting the first start of his Portland State career, junior transfer Mickey Polis led a hot three-point shooting Viking team to a 74-66 non-conference win over Cal Poly at the Stott Center.

Polis scored 15 points and had three assists as he started in place of Jeremiah Dominguez. Twelve of his 15 came after intermission to lead the Vikings to a quality win.

PSU improved to 7-4 on the season, 3-0 at home. The Mustangs dropped to 4-5.

Portland State had to overcome a sluggish start and early nine-point deficit. The Mustangs led 14-5 just six minutes into the game. Dawen Whiten hit a three-pointer with 5:45 left in the half and Cal Poly led 33-22.

But the Vikings went on a 14-4 run to close out the half. Polis' three-pointer with 37 seconds left got the Vikings within 37-36 at halftime.

Strong three-point shooting was the difference for PSU. Although they had 11 first-half turnovers that the Mustangs converted into 16 points, the Vikings hit 9-14 from long range to stay close.

Polis opened the second-half with another three-pointer, giving PSU a 39-37 lead, and the Vikings never trailed again.

Cal Poly hit 7-12 from three-point range in the first half, but only 1-10 in the second half. Portland State's lead never grew larger than nine points. The Vikings made five of six free throws in final 24 seconds, including the last three by Polis.

PSU got contributions from several players as seven Vikings scored eight or more points. The Vikings made a season-high 13 of 24 three-point field goals (.542). Six different players made at least two each.

Senior center Scott Morrison had his third double-double of the year with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Guards Dupree Lucas and Andre Murray each had 10 points in the game.

Matt Hanson led Cal Poly with 12 points and six rebounds. Chaz Thomas had eight assists and four steals.

Story by: Mike Lund

Courtesy: Portland State Athletics

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