FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Three Lumberjacks scored at least 20 points on Wednesday, but Portland State took advantage of the Northern Arizona women's basketball team's defensive struggles in an 88-80 victory in the Walkup Skydome. The Vikings shot 48.3 percent from the field and made 11-of-18 from three-point range to outgun the 'Jacks, sending NAU into its final regular season game with a 6-22 record and 2-15 in conference.

"If we just played a little bit of defense, this is a different game," said head coach Sue Darling. "Was there any defense at all, and I'd have to say no. It's hard because we had three players score 20 points and that should be enough firepower if you play some defense. But it's not when you allow someone to score 88 points. They played like they had nothing to lose, so maybe we're feeling too much pressure."

Junior Rene Coggins made her first seven shots from the field, including her first five three-pointers, and finished 8-for-11 from the floor in a career-best 23 point performance. Junior Catelyn Preston had a career evening as well, recording lifetime-bests of 20 points and 12 rebounds while also shooting 8-for-11 for the game. Freshman Alyssa Rader also provided the Lumberjacks with 20 points.

However, all of that would be for naught as NAU failed to contain a Portland State team who came out of the gates shooting 72.7 percent in the first quarter. The Vikings led 22-17 after the opening period, but Rader, Coggins and Preston combined for all eight points during an 8-0 NAU run that tied the game at 28-28 with six minutes left in the first half.

After redshirt junior Shay Young gave the Lumberjacks the lead, 40-38, with 1:45 remaining in the second quarter, Portland State finished the half on a 9-2 spurt including knocking down a buzzer-beating three-pointer. The Vikings withstood 10 second quarter points from Coggins and went into the intermission ahead 47-42 by shooting nearly 57 percent in the first 20 minutes along with making 6-of-9 from behind the arc.

The Lumberjacks were far from deterred as Coggins quickly knocked down a pair of triples in the opening minute of the second half. Preston then followed with a layup off a Viking turnover, and freshman Passionate Amukamara capped a lightning-quick 10-0 second half opening run by the Lumberjacks that provided them with their largest lead of the game, 52-47.

Another strong finish to the quarter by the Vikings, this time a 7-0 run to end the third, hurt the 'Jacks with Portland State breaking a 60-60 tie going into the fourth quarter. NAU trailed by as much as 11 with under four minutes to play before putting together a comeback effort that brought them within two at 82-80 with 23 seconds left following a pair of Coggins free throws. However, the Vikings sealed the deal with a perfect 6-for-6 showing.

Coggins did not only score, but she facilitated the NAU offense with a season-high six assists among the Lumberjacks' 23 for the game on 32 made baskets.

While NAU was in an offensive flow for most of the game, its defense let the 'Jacks down as the Vikings scored at least 20 points in every quarter. In addition to a lights-out performance from the field, Portland State also took advantage of its opportunities at the free throw line where it was 21-for-29 compared to just 8-for-11 for NAU. Portland State also outrebounded NAU by a 42-36 margin.

The Lumberjacks play their final game on Friday in the Skydome before heading to Reno, Nev. for the conference tournament. NAU will host Sacramento State at 6:30 p.m. on Senior Night for Monique Mulder and Mariah Willadsen.