Portland State basketball beats Northern Colorado 70-65 behind Henderson’s 17 points

Portland State basketball edged Northern Colorado in a thrilling 70-65 victory on January 15. Jaylin Henderson’s stellar performance led the Vikings to their third conference win, extending their unbeaten Big Sky streak.

Henderson Leads Vikings To Close Victory

Jaylin Henderson orchestrated Portland State’s offense with surgical precision, distributing 7 assists alongside his 17 points. The senior guard’s efficient 6-for-12 shooting proved crucial in the waning moments. Tre-Vaughn Minott matched Henderson with 17 points on outstanding 6-for-7 efficiency.

Terri Miller Jr. contributed 16 points while Keyon Kensie Jr. grabbed 8 rebounds defensively. Northern Colorado battled hard but fell short despite Brock Wisne’s strong 16-point performance for the Bears.

Vikings Dominate Second Half With Balanced Attack

Portland State exploded for 42 points in the second half, nearly doubling their first-half output of 28 points. The Vikings executed their half-court offense flawlessly. Northern Colorado scored 32 second-half points but couldn’t match Portland State’s momentum.

Coach Jase Coburn’s squad shot 50 percent from the field on 24-for-48 shooting. The Vikings also limited turnovers to 16 while forcing 14 turnovers from the Bears. This defensive intensity sealed the critical conference victory late.

game Comparison Stats Transform Close Contest

The matchup revealed why Portland State leads the Big Sky Conference. Portland State’s 50 percent field goal percentage versus Northern Colorado’s 47 percent made the difference. Portland State also protected the ball better with superior turnover differential.

Factor	Portland State	Northern Colorado
Field Goal %	50% (24-48)	47% (22-47)
Rebounds	34 total	19 total
Turnovers	16	14
Free Throw %	78% (18-23)	64% (9-14)

Portland State’s 34 rebounds overwhelmed Northern Colorado’s 19. This rebounding dominance created second-chance opportunities throughout. Free throw accuracy also favored the Vikings with 78 percent shooting.

“Portland State played with consistency and execution down the stretch.”

— Jase Coburn, Portland State Head Coach

Henderson’s Leadership Extends Big Sky Dominance

Henderson’s 7 assists showcased his playmaking brilliance and leadership. The Vikings now stand 9-5 overall with a perfect 3-0 conference record. Northern Colorado falls to 11-6 overall with 1-3 Big Sky play.

Portland State faces continued pressure to maintain their unbeaten conference start. Henderson has been named Big Sky Player of the Week recently, reflecting his consistent excellence. The Vikings will look to extend their momentum in upcoming matchups.

Will Portland State Sustain Their Conference Hot Streak?

Portland State enters conference play’s second half with confidence and chemistry. Henderson’s reliable leadership offers hope for a deep Big Sky tournament run. The Vikings proved they can win close games against tournament-caliber opponents.

Northern Colorado will regroup and seek conference wins to improve their tournament credentials. Brock Wisne demonstrated he can carry offensive loads when needed. Will these teams meet again in Big Sky tournament play later this season?

Sources

• ESPN – Live coverage and official box score of January 15, 2026 game
• Portland State Athletics – Confirmed final statistics and team records
• Fox Sports – Game summary and Northern Colorado perspective