Balanced Portland State hands Idaho its fifth straight loss

PORTLAND – Jamie Orme and Michael Mayhew had 11 points each, Deante Strickland added 10 points and Portland State cruised to 69-53 win over Idaho on Saturday night.

The Vikings (8-11, 3-5 Big Sky) had a 40-23 lead at halftime and kept the lead between 14 and 22 throughout the second half.

Trevon Allen and Scott Blakney scored 12 points each for the Vandals (4-15, 1-7), who have lost their past five games.

Idaho kept it close for the first 9 minutes, but after Khadim Samb’s jumper for the Vandals tied it at 18, Portland State scored 14 straight points and closed the first half on a 22-5 run.

Sal Nuhu had 10 rebounds for the Vikings, who outrebounded the Vandals 38-31. Idaho was 6 of 23 from 3-point range and got to the foul line for just eight shots, making five.