Tuesday, March 11th, 11:00 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Rose Garden (21,000) -- Portland, Oregon. Television: Altitude TV. Home Record: Idaho St. 8-5, Portland St. 11-1. Away Record: Idaho St. 4-12, Portland St. 8-7. Neutral Record: Idaho St. 0-1, Portland St. 2-1. Conference Record: Idaho St. 8-8, Portland St. 14-2. Series Record: Portland State leads, 19-12.

GAME NOTES: The top-seeded Portland State Vikings will begin their run at the Big Sky Conference Tournament title when they take on the fourth-seeded Idaho State Bengals this evening at the Rose Garden. The Bengals entered the BSC tournament on a down note, losing five of their last seven games, finishing the year with an even 8-8 league ledger. Despite the struggles down the stretch, the Bengals were able to grab a thrilling, 67-65 victory over Montana in the quarterfinal-round. As for the Vikings, they tied a school record with 21 wins on the season and captured their second regular-season title in the last four years with a 14-2 league record. Portland State closed its schedule with 12 wins in its last 13 games, and is one win away from participating in its first BSC title game. In terms of the all-time series between the two schools, the Vikings have a 19-12 edge over Idaho State and that includes two victories for PSU this season over the Bengals.

The Bengals put forth one of their better offensive performances against Montana, as Idaho State shot 52.2 percent from the field en route to the two- point win. Idaho State made 5-of-10 attempts from behind the arc, and also dominated the glass by a 36-24 margin. Logan Kinghorn scored 17 points and pulled down 10 rebounds in the win, while Austin Kilpatrick and Matt Stucki contributed 11 points apiece. Stucki has been the only consistent scoring threat for Idaho State, as the guard is posting 11.5 ppg to go along with a team-best 108 assists. Throughout the season the Bengals have been weak offensively, netting just 59.8 ppg.

Unlike their counterpart, the Vikings have had no trouble producing points, as the team is averaging a strong 74.6 ppg, while shooting a strong 46.8 percent from the floor. Jeremiah Dominguez has been the main scoring option for PSU, as the guard is pacing the team with 14.4 ppg to go along with a team-best 117 assists. Dominguez has been outstanding from behind the arc, netting 44.5 percent of his three-point attempts, and is also posting an impressive 83.8 percent clip from the foul line. Deonte Huff and Scott Morrison have been a terrific tandem in the paint, as Huff is posting 13.6 ppg and pulling down 6.1 rpg, while Morrison is contributing 11.3 ppg to go along with 6.1 rpg. At the other end of the court, the Vikings have also done a solid job, limiting teams to just 68.3 ppg.

The Vikings are simply too tough for the Bengals, especially at the offensive end of the court. Portland State should have no trouble reaching its first- ever Big Sky title game.

Predicted Outcome

Portland State 75, Idaho State 62