Portland State put on a show at the Viking Pavilion, throttling Sacramento State 96-69 in a non-conference matchup. The Vikings' high-powered offense was on full display, with Jaylin Henderson pacing the team with 26 points and 5 assists. Henderson's impressive outing was complemented by a dominant performance from Tre-Vaughn Minott, who tallied 23 points and a staggering 20 rebounds. Terri Miller Jr. also filled the stat sheet, notching 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 13 assists.
The Vikings took control from the outset, building a 46-32 lead by halftime. Sacramento State's Mikey Williams tried to keep his team afloat, scoring 29 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome Portland State's balanced attack. The Vikings' advantage only grew in the second half, as they outscored the Hornets 50-37 to seal the 27-point victory.
Portland State's impressive performance was a reflection of their depth and versatility. The Vikings' trio of Henderson, Minott, and Miller Jr. proved too much for Sacramento State to handle, with each player making significant contributions on both ends of the floor. Meanwhile, Williams' 29-point effort was a lone bright spot for the Hornets, who struggled to find consistency on offense.
The outcome of this game was never in doubt, as Portland State's lead ballooned to as many as 30 points in the second half. The Vikings' dominance was reflected in the final score, which marked their 13th win of the season. Sacramento State, on the other hand, fell to 6-13, their struggles continuing against a Portland State team that is now 13-5.
This result will have implications for both teams' tournament resumes. For Portland State, the win is a Quadrant 4 victory, which may not significantly boost their NET ranking of 134. However, it does help to pad their win total and demonstrates their ability to take care of business against lesser opponents. Sacramento State, meanwhile, suffered a Quadrant 2 loss, which won't hurt their NET ranking of 284 too severely. Nevertheless, the Hornets' struggles against a quality opponent like Portland State raise concerns about their ability to compete against stronger teams.
In the end, Portland State's convincing win over Sacramento State serves as a reflection of their strength and depth. With performances like these, the Vikings want to build momentum and make a push for a strong finish to the season. As for Sacramento State, they'll need to regroup and refocus in order to turn their season around and make a late push for tournament consideration. The Vikings' victory may not have been an upset, but it was an impressive display of their abilities, and one that will undoubtedly resonate throughout the season.