Junior Joe Dawson made seven threes en route to a career-high 30 points. |
Billy Feeney scored on a layup with 10 seconds to play and Anthony Lackey added two free throws with two seconds remaining to lift Portland State to an 86-83 win over Sacramento State Friday night at the Stott Center.
The win improved the Vikings to 8-11 overall and 2-4 in the Big Sky Conference. The Hornets fell to 8-12 overall and 2-4 in league games. Both teams are now in a four-way tie for fifth place in the conference.
Sacramento State trailed by as many as eight points (65-57) in the second half but battled back to claim an 81-78 lead on a three-pointer by Joe Dawson with 1:33 left. Jeb Ivey pulled PSU within one with a jumper on the next possession before Dawson scored two free throws to give the team an 83-80 edge with 34 seconds to play.
On the next trip down the floor, senior Ronnie Walton fouled Aaron Fitzgerald away from the play and the freshman made both free throws to make the score, 83-82. Sacramento State then inbounded the ball to Dawson who was immediately double-teamed. The junior attempted to break the trap but stepped out of bounds with 20 seconds on the clock.
Portland State worked the ball to Feeney on a back-door cut to take the lead. The Hornets attempted to answer but Walton’s running attempt was blocked and rebounded by Lackey who was immediately fouled.
The loss extended Sacramento State’s Big Sky road losing streak to 43 games. The defeat also overshadowed a career night by Joe Dawson. The guard scored 30 points by connection on 9 of his 15 attempts. Dawson also made seven threes and was 5-for-5 at the line.
Junior Joel Jones also contributed 20 points and grabbed a team-leading six rebounds.
Sacramento State returns to action on Saturday at Eastern Washington. The game will begin at 7:05 p.m. and can be heard on KTKZ 1380 AM or www.hornetsports.com.
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