Southern Utah still winless in the Big Sky, losing to Portland State 86-79
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Gary Winston scored a career-high 26 points and Portland State survived a late scare from Southern Utah on Thursday night holding on for an 86-79 win.
Portland State (12-12, 7-8 Big Sky) couldn't shake the Thunderbirds in the second half after posting a slim 3-point, 29-26 halftime lead. The teams traded leads in the second period with no team pulling ahead by more than five points.
Southern Utah (1-23, 0-15) led 75-76 on two Casey Oliverson free throws with 1:25 remaining, but Winston's ensuing tip-in and Brandon Cataldo's follow-up jumper closed the door on the Thunderbirds hope of picking up a lone win in the conference. The Vikings finished making 7-of-8 free throws going into the buzzer.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}DaShaun Wiggins recorded 19 points and Andre Winston, Jr. 13 for the Portland.
Oliverson finished with 10 rebounds while he and Trey Kennedy scored 19 points each for Southern Utah.