Portland State, which also went 4-of-4 from the free-throw line in the final 13 seconds to seal the victory, improved to 16-6 overall and 8-2 in the Big Sky. The Vikings remain in first place in the league standings, a half game ahead of second-place Montana State (7-2). Sacramento State, which dropped to 8-14 and 4-5 in the Big Sky, had its season-high seven-game home winning streak snapped. The streak had been the team’s longest since an eight-gamer during parts of both the 1987-88 and 1988-89 seasons.

The Hornets also had their program-best eight-game home winning streak against Big Sky competition dating back to last season come to an end. With the loss, Sacramento State remains in a two-way tie for fourth place in the league standings as Eastern Washington (4-5) also lost. Only five games remain on the Hornets’ regular-season schedule as they attempt to reach the Big Sky Tournament for the third-consecutive year.

Portland State never trailed in the second half as the Hornets clawed their way back from an 11-point halftime deficit. The Vikings took a 10-point lead (59-49) with 7:48 remaining in the game, but the Hornets were able to tie the game at 62-62 (3:05) after a three-pointer from Jameel Pugh capped a 13-3 run. Both teams exchanged a pair of free throws before Walker’s sixth three-pointer of the season gave the Vikings a three-point lead (67-64) with 2:07 left on the clock.

Sacramento State’s Jason Harris and Randy Adams each made 1-of-2 free throws to get the Hornets back within one point (67-66). Portland State’s Seamus Boxley, who had 23 points and a game-high 14 rebounds, was fouled with 13 seconds remaining and converted both of his free throws to put Portland State back up three points (69-66). The Hornets had two chances to tie in the waning moments of the game, but three-pointers from Pugh and Alex Bausley fell off the mark, and Portland State iced the game with two free throws (0:02) from Walker.

Despite shooting just 25.9 percent from the field (the team’s second-to-lowest output of the season) and being outrebounded, 53-37, Sacramento State was able to compensate by forcing 18 Portland State turnovers and burying 30 free throws (in 44 attempts) to keep the game close. The Hornets, who were led by Jason Harris’ 21 points, outscored Portland State, 37-31, in the second half. Harris went 14-of-19 from the free-throw line as his 19 free-throw attempts set the Sacramento State Div. I (1991-pres.) single-game record. However, Harris shot just 3-of-15 from the field, but was able to record his fourth-straight game with more than 20 points.

Harris was joined in double figures by senior Jameel Pugh (19 points, and a team-high four three-pointers and seven rebounds) and junior DaShawn Freeman (11 points, six rebounds and three steals). Freeman, who is averaging 17.3 points over his last three games, played just one first-half minute because of foul trouble. Portland State was able to take advantage of Freeman’s absence as it outscored the Hornets, 40-29, in the first stanza.

A total of 54 fouls were called during tonight’s game as Portland State’s Will Funn and Scott Morrison, and Sacramento State’s Zane Beekman each fouled out of the contest. In arguably his best game of the season, Beekman finished with six points, a season-high four rebounds and a season-high tying four blocked shots in 16 active minutes.

Portland State, which shot just 20.7 percent (6-29) from the field in the second half, finished the game shooting 37.0 percent (20-54) from the floor and 74.3 percent (26-35) from the free-throw line.

Sacramento State returns to the road for the first time in two weeks as it takes on Big Sky-foes Weber State (Feb. 10) and Idaho State (Feb. 12). The Hornets have already defeated both teams earlier this season in Sacramento.