Portland State's Terri Miller Jr. stole the show at Reese Court, guiding his team to a 65-61 victory over Eastern Washington. Miller's impressive all-around performance, which included 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, was the difference-maker in a closely contested matchup. The Vikings' win was predicted by CHD Scout, who forecasted a 6.9-point margin of victory for Portland State, and although the actual margin was narrower, the prediction ultimately held true.
The game got off to a strong start for the Vikings, who took a 33-26 lead into halftime. Portland State's offense was clicking, with Miller and Tre-Vaughn Minott leading the charge. Minott chipped in with 13 points and 5 rebounds, while Keyon Kensie Jr. added a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Eastern Washington's Isaiah Moses kept his team in the game, scoring 22 points to pace the Eagles. Alton Hamilton IV and Kiree Huie also made significant contributions, with 13 points and 6 rebounds, and 8 points and 5 rebounds, respectively.
In the second half, Eastern Washington mounted a comeback, outscoring Portland State 35-32. However, the Vikings' defense held strong, limiting the Eagles to just 61 points on the night. Moses' efforts were valiant, but ultimately not enough to overcome the balanced attack of Portland State. The Vikings' ability to distribute the ball and create scoring opportunities was too much for the Eagles to handle.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
The victory improves Portland State's record to 12-5, while Eastern Washington falls to 4-15. While the win may not have been a surprise, given the teams' respective records, it is still a significant one for the Vikings. This game was classified as a Quadrant 4 contest for Portland State, which means it was a game they were expected to win. By coming out on top, the Vikings avoid a potentially damaging loss to their tournament resume.
For Eastern Washington, this loss will be classified as a Quadrant 3 game, which is a more respectable outcome given the Eagles' current net ranking of 254. Although the loss does not help their tournament chances, it does demonstrate that they can compete with stronger teams like Portland State. The Eagles' performance will likely be viewed as a positive step forward, even if the end result was not what they had hoped for.
As the season progresses, Portland State want to build on this win and continue to strengthen their tournament resume. With a current net ranking of 138, the Vikings are positioning themselves for a potential postseason berth. This win, although not a marquee victory, is still an important one for Portland State, as it helps to maintain their momentum and confidence heading into the stretch run of the season.