Vikings Nip Lewis & Clark, 61-60

The win improved the Vikings’ record to 6-3 on the season, while the NCAA III Pioneers dropped to 3-2.

Julius Thomas (1) had 11 points and seven rebounds in the Viking win over Lewis & Clark. Photo courtesy: Troy Wayrynen/Portland State Athletics

PORTLAND, Ore. - It wasn’t pretty, but the Portland State Vikings managed a narrow escape in a 61-60 victory at their home away from home, The Rose Garden, on Wednesday night.

The game, which was Portland State’s home contest, was played at the Rose Garden in Portland due to water damage on the Stott Center floor. The Vikings had command early on but Lewis and Clark roared back in the closing moments and nearly stole the victory.

The win improved the Vikings’ record to 6-3 on the season, while the NCAA III Pioneers dropped to 3-2.

The Pioneers missed their first nine shots as the Vikings built an early 8-0 lead. Tyson Papenfuss finally got Lewis and Clark on the board with a layin at the 14:32 mark of the first half.

Both teams struggled offensively throughout the half. However, the Vikings’ Andre Murray was the difference. He had 12 points and eight rebounds by halftime, hitting 6-8 from the field. The Vikings led 32-20 at the break.

The Pioneers made only 9-29 shots in the first half, while the Vikings hit 13-34. PSU held a 26-16 rebounding advantage.

The Vikings pushed the lead up to 48-33 on a three-pointer by Deonte Huff with 8:52 left in the game, but the Pioneers roared back to make a game of it.

Lewis and Clark cut the deficit to 11 at the 7:43 mark, then a three-pointer by Mark Robinowitz at 6:11 cut it to 50-42. Gene Rivera hit two free throws at the 4:44 mark and LC was with 52-46.

It got dicey for the Vikings in the closing moments. PSU lost its two leading scorers inside the final five minutes. First, Murray went down with an ankle sprain. Then, Huff fouled out. With center Scott Morrison sitting out to rest a sore back, the Vikings’ lineup was thin.

Twice the Pioneers closed it to five points, but Julius Thomas made three inside baskets to help the Vikings maintain the lead. Then, Rivera hit field goals at 1:32 and 37.5 seconds to cut the Vikings lead to 60-57.

PSU’s Brian Curtis made one of two free throws with 23.5 seconds left to make it 61-57. But, Thomas Tillery’s driving layin and free throw at the 15.3 second mark had Lewis and Clark within 61-60.

Trying to run out the clock, the Vikings turned it over on their final possession, but Lewis and Clark could not get a good shot up before the final horn.

Murray finished with 14 points and nine rebounds for the Vikings. Huff had 13 points and six rebounds. Thomas came off the bench for a season-high 11 points and seven rebounds.

Papenfuss led LC with 14 points. Robinowitz had 13. The Pioneers comeback came on the strength of 54% shooting and 7-8 at the line in the second half. PSU shot just .435 in the second half, making 7-14 free throws. The Vikings shot only .404 for the game.

Story by: Mike Lund

Courtesy: Portland State Athletics

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