Idaho women extend winning streak to 11 with rout of Portland State; Vandal men can’t complete comeback

It was more of the same on Thursday for the Big Sky Conference’s top team.

It was another high scoring output and a dominant rebounding effort from the Idaho women’s basketball team, which extended its winning streak to 11 with an 86-66 victory over Portland State at ICCU Arena in Moscow.

Idaho (22-5, 13-1 Big Sky) entered the day ranked No. 22 nationally in scoring offense (79.3 ppg) and fourth in rebounding margin. The Vikings (6-20, 2-12) couldn’t keep up with the Vandals’ efficient, fast-paced offense, and Portland State couldn’t match Idaho’s strength in the post.

The Vandals shot 50.8% from the field and outrebounded the Vikings 41-26. Idaho built a 10-point lead at the half, then surged to an insurmountable advantage with a 31-point third quarter.

Six players scored in double figures for Idaho, led by guard Kyra Gardner’s 17 points. Guard Ana Pinheiro had 10 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Guard Hope Hassmann contributed 13 points, five assists and three steals, and post Debora dos Santos logged 15 points.

Men

Portland State 77, Idaho 67: The Vandals (14-13, 6-8 Big Sky) made things interesting for the national TV audience from ESPNU after falling into a 20-point hole, but conference-leading Portland State (18-7, 12-2) survived the challenge with a late run at Viking Pavilion.

Idaho fell behind big after a sloppy first half, and the Vikings built their lead to 53-33 about five minutes into the second half. But the Vandals surged back with four 3-pointers during a 16-0 run, and cut the deficit to 63-60 with 3:18 to play before a 9-2 PSU spurt ended the threat.

Guard Isaiah Brickner scored 22 points, and forward Jackson Rasmussen added 18 for Idaho, which shot 38.3% from the field and 11 of 27 from 3-point distance.

PSU’s Keyon Kensie Jr. had 18 of his 24 points in the first half, and Jaylin Henderson tallied 20 points and 10 assists for the Vikings, who shot 45.8% overall.