Portland State Vikings Defeat Montana Grizzlies in Tight Conference Matchup

Vikings maintain top spot in Big Sky standings with narrow home victory

Jan. 29, 2026 at 6:47pm

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In a closely contested college basketball game, the Portland State Vikings defeated the Montana Grizzlies 73-71 on Thursday night. The Vikings, who lead the Big Sky Conference standings, held off a late push from the Grizzlies to secure the home victory.

Why it matters

This game was a key conference matchup with major implications for the Big Sky title race. Portland State's victory keeps them alone atop the standings, while Montana remains in the hunt for the conference crown. The tight margin of victory highlights the competitiveness of the Big Sky this season.

The details

The Vikings were led by forward Terri Miller Jr., who scored 19 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. Guard Jaylin Henderson added 17 points and 6 assists for Portland State. For Montana, guard Money Williams scored a team-high 19 points, while forward Te'Jon Sawyer contributed 12 points and 7 rebounds.

  • The game was played on Thursday, January 29, 2026.

The players

Terri Miller Jr.

A forward for the Portland State Vikings who scored 19 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in the game.

Jaylin Henderson

A guard for the Portland State Vikings who scored 17 points and dished out 6 assists.

Money Williams

A guard for the Montana Grizzlies who scored a team-high 19 points.

Te'Jon Sawyer

A forward for the Montana Grizzlies who contributed 12 points and 7 rebounds.

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What they’re saying

“We knew this was going to be a tough game against a very good Montana team. I'm proud of the way our guys battled and made the plays we needed to come out on top.”

— Terri Miller Jr., Forward, Portland State Vikings (Portland Tribune)

“We had our chances, but just couldn't quite get over the hump. Portland State is a tough team to beat at home, and we'll learn from this experience as we continue our conference schedule.”

— Money Williams, Guard, Montana Grizzlies (Missoulian)

What’s next

The Vikings will look to extend their conference lead when they host the Idaho Vandals on Saturday, January 31st. The Grizzlies will try to bounce back on the road against the Eastern Washington Eagles on the same date.

The takeaway

This hard-fought victory showcases the depth and competitiveness of the Big Sky Conference this season. Portland State's ability to grind out a close win at home against a quality opponent like Montana demonstrates why they are the team to beat in the league.