Jerome Jenkins remained optimistic following a 71-66 Big Sky Conference loss to Portland State on Saturday night.

“Even when we play bad against the teams in this league, we still have a great chance to beat them,” said the Hornet head coach.

The Hornets, despite shooting just 25.9 percent from the floor against the first-place Vikings, rallied from an 11-point halftime defecit to tie the game at 64 with 2:30 remaining.

But Portland State’s Blake Walker hit just his sixth 3-pointer of the season, and second of the game, to put the Vikings up 67-64.

Freshman Randy Adams had a chance to tie the game with 45 seconds remaining, but missed his second free throw, leaving the Hornets down one, 67-66. The Hornets missed another chance to tie on Jameel Pugh’s and Alex Bausley’s 3-point attempts in the final seconds.

The loss ends the Hornets’ (8-14, 4-5) streak of seven-consecutive home victories. Portland State (16-6, 8-2) has now won four-straight games and 12 of its last 14.

Sac State remains in fourth place in the Big Sky standings, tied with Eastern Washington. The top six teams make it to the Big Sky Tournament. Five conference games remain for the Hornets, three being on the road.

“This team is not better than us!” Jenkins was heard yelling in the game’s final seconds. Earlier this season, the Hornets lost 79-69 at Portland State.

Walker led Portland State with 26 points and 10 rebounds. Vikings forward Seamus Boxley had 23 points and 17 rebounds.

Jason Harris, despite shooting 3-of-15 from the floor, led the Hornets with 21 points on 14 of 19 free throws. Harris’ 19 free throw attempts is the most in Sac State’s Division-I era. Harris, the conference’s second-leading scorer heading into the game, has scored at least 20 points in four-straight games.

Portland State opened the game in a full-court man-to-man press that slowed down a Hornet offense that thrives on scoring in transition.

The Viking defense limited the Hornets to just 20.7 percent shooting in the first half and 0-of-6 from the 3-point line. The Hornets scored 17 of their 29 first half points at the free throw line.

“In the first half we weren’t playing organized basketball and we were taking low-percentage shots,” said DaShawn Freeman, who was limited to just one first half minute after picking up two quick fouls.

The Hornets trailed 40-29 at the half.

“We dug ourselves in a hole, and it was tough to get out of it,” Freeman said.

The Hornets were able to rally in the second half behind six 3-pointers and Freeman’s ability to break the press.

Freeman recorded all of his 11 points and six rebounds in the second half.

Jameel Pugh scored 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds. The senior finished 4-of-9 from behind the 3-point arc.

Zane Beekman left the game to an applause after fouling out with five minutes remaining in the contest. The junior entered the game early in the first half and immediately helped limit Portland State’s inside scoring by blocking two shots. Beekman continued his strong defensive play in the second half.

The Hornets shooting percentage was their second lowest of the season, narrowly edging the team’s 24.6 percent showing at Saint Mary’s on Dec. 17.

The Hornets, 0-11 on the road this season, will next play at Weber State and Idaho State on Thursday and Saturday, respectively.