POCATELLO, Idaho (Interstat) — Two teams riding the momentum of high-scoring performances will meet Saturday when the Portland State Vikings visit the Idaho State Bengals in a Big Sky Conference men’s basketball matchup at Holt Arena.

Portland State (7-5) arrives fresh off a thrilling 95-90 overtime road victory at Weber State on Thursday. The Vikings’ offense exploded behind a career-high 34 points from guard Jaylin Henderson, who added six rebounds and seven assists in 45 minutes. Forward Terri Miller contributed 29 points and center Tre-Vaughn Minott posted a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds in the win.

Henderson, averaging 18.2 points and 5.8 assists over his last five games, is the catalyst for a Viking attack that has scored 90 or more points in three of its seven wins.

Idaho State (7-6) last played on Dec. 21, suffering a 93-83 home loss to UC Davis. Despite the defeat, guard Louis Bond provided an explosive spark off the bench, scoring 19 points in just 17 minutes. Bond’s efficiency will be key for a Bengals squad looking to defend its home court and improve to .500 in conference play.

Both teams enter with identical 0-0 records in Big Sky play, making this a pivotal early-season conference showdown. Portland State has shown a pattern of following a loss with a win in recent weeks, while Idaho State has not played in nearly two weeks, a factor that could influence rhythm and conditioning.

Historically, Holt Arena has been a challenging venue for visitors. The Vikings will need another balanced effort to overcome the Bengals’ home-court advantage. Alongside Henderson, the continued production from Miller and Minott will be vital for Portland State. For Idaho State, containing Henderson’s playmaking while finding consistent scoring beyond Bond and starters Lachlan Brewer (16 points vs. UC Davis) and Connor Hollenbeck (17 points) will be the primary focus.

Tipoff is set for Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. The game is the conference opener for both programs as they navigate the start of the rigorous Big Sky schedule.