Portland State vs CSU Bakersfield: Vikings Look to Build Home Momentum

Vikings Host Roadrunners in Key Non-Conference Clash

The Portland State Vikings (1-2) are set to welcome the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners (2-2) to Viking Pavilion on Monday, November 17, 2025. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM PT (10:00 PM ET) in what promises to be a crucial matchup for both teams as they navigate non-conference play. The game, available exclusively on ESPN+, marks a significant home stand for PSU, which looks to capitalize on its formidable home court advantage.

The Vikings enter this contest on the heels of a challenging road trip where they fell to quality opponents Stanford and San Francisco by a combined 20 points. Despite the 1-2 start, there are clear signs of promise. Senior guard Jaylin Henderson, a preseason All-Big Sky selection, has been stellar, averaging 19.0 points, 4.3 assists, and 3.0 steals per game. Henderson's explosive play, including a record-tying five dunks against Northwest Indian, has been a cornerstone of the offense.

Joining Henderson in the spotlight is senior center Tre-Vaughn Minott, who recorded his first double-double of the season with 16 points and 13 rebounds against San Francisco. The Vikings have shot the ball efficiently, boasting a .500/.366/.700 shooting slash line and averaging 10 three-pointers per contest. However, consistency has been hampered by high foul numbers (27.3 per game) and turnovers (16.0 per game), issues head coach Jase Coburn will aim to address.

CSU Bakersfield Preview

The Roadrunners, coming off a tough 82-60 loss at Ole Miss, present a tough test. CSU Bakersfield enters with a 2-2 record, featuring a balanced attack led by senior guard CJ Hardy's 21-point performance against the Rebels. Hardy averages 14.3 points per game, while junior forward Ronald Jessamy contributes 13.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per contest. The Roadrunners are a strong rebounding team, outrebounding opponents by an average of 5.0 boards per game, and they pose a threat with 5.7 blocked shots per contest.

This matchup is a homecoming of sorts for PSU, which holds a 2-1 edge in the all-time series at Viking Pavilion. The Vikings won last year's meeting in Bakersfield, 59-58, in a thrilling contest. With 12 consecutive home wins dating back to last season, PSU is a formidable force at "The Ship," boasting a 25-3 record since the start of the 2023-24 campaign.

Key Matchups and Outlook

Watch for the battle in the paint between Minott and Jessamy, as both players are critical to their teams' success. Additionally, Henderson will look to exploit CSU Bakersfield's defensive vulnerabilities, particularly their .275 three-point shooting defense. The Vikings' ability to limit turnovers and avoid fouls will be pivotal against a Roadrunners team that averages 15 more free throw attempts per game than PSU.

For fans unable to attend in person, the game can be streamed live on ESPN+, with play-by-play commentary provided by Matt Richert and analysis from Devon Pouncey. Live stats will be available at ViksLive.livestats.us.

Following this contest, the Vikings will host Evergreen State on Wednesday before hitting the road for four of their final six non-conference games. A strong showing against Bakersfield could provide the momentum needed to solidify their position as a contender in the Big Sky Conference.