BOTTOM LINE: Northern Colorado comes into a matchup against Portland State as winners of six straight games. The Bears are 7-1 in home games. Northern Colorado is the top team in the Big Sky with 17.5 assists per game led by Jaron Rillie averaging 5.5.

Northern Colorado Bears (8-7, 1-3 Big Sky) at Portland State Vikings (3-9, 0-3 Big Sky) Portland, Oregon; Thursday, 10 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Portland State looks to end its three-game home slide with a victory against Northern Colorado.

Isaiah Hawthorne scored 23 points as Northern Colorado beat Portland State 72-69 on Thursday night. Hawthorne also contributed seven rebounds for the Bears (13-5, 5-0 Big Sky Conference). Brock Wisne shot 6 of 10 from the field and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line to add 15 points.