Portland State delivered a resounding 88-65 victory over Idaho State at the Viking Pavilion, with Jaylin Henderson stealing the show. The Vikings' star guard poured in 30 points and dished out 7 assists, spearheading his team's dominant performance. Portland State's convincing win surpassed the predicted margin of 7.8 points, as CHD Scout had forecasted a 78-70 outcome in favor of the Vikings.
The game unfolded with Portland State taking control from the outset, racing to a 43-32 halftime lead. The Vikings' offense was clicking on all cylinders, with Henderson and Terri Miller Jr. combining for 31 points in the first half. Miller Jr. finished with 22 points, providing a strong complementary scoring punch to Henderson's exploits. Idaho State, meanwhile, struggled to find its rhythm, with Caleb Van De Griend's 13 points leading the way for the Bengals.
In the second half, Portland State continued to pull away, outscoring Idaho State 45-33. The Vikings' defense was stifling, limiting the Bengals to just 33% shooting from the field. Kelcy Phipps chipped in with 11 points for Portland State, as the Vikings' balanced attack proved too much for Idaho State to handle. Evan Otten and Connor Hollenbeck added 12 and 10 points, respectively, for the Bengals, but their efforts were not enough to stem the tide.
CHD Scout Report Card
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Final
The 23-point margin of victory was a reflection of Portland State's superior performance, and it marked a significant win for the Vikings' resume. As a Q4 game for Portland State, the victory will not greatly impact their tournament chances, but it does help to solidify their position. For Idaho State, the loss was a Q2 game, which will not hurt their resume significantly, but it does highlight the challenges the Bengals face in terms of strength of schedule.
The outcome of this game reinforces Portland State's position as a formidable team, with Henderson emerging as a key player in the Vikings' lineup. His 30-point outing was a season-high, and it underscored his ability to take over games. As the season progresses, Henderson's performances matters in determining Portland State's tournament fate. With this win, the Vikings improve to 15-6, while Idaho State falls to 10-13. The victory also underscores the accuracy of CHD Scout's prediction, which correctly forecasted a Portland State win, albeit by a wider margin than anticipated.
This result has real consequences for Portland State's tournament chances, as it demonstrates their ability to dominate inferior opponents. While the win may not greatly enhance their resume, it helps to maintain their current position. As the Vikings continue to navigate their schedule, they must build on this performance and secure more notable victories to bolster their tournament credentials. For now, the win over Idaho State serves as a confidence booster, and Henderson's standout performance will be a key talking point as Portland State looks to make a push in the coming weeks.