BOX SCORE: Northern Colorado-Portland State

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Northern Colorado's women's volleyball team saw its five-match winning streak come to an end in the Rose City on Thursday night.

And the Bears fell out of first place with the defeat in a match up of the Big Sky Conference's top two teams.

The Vikings had a win streak of their own (four matches) and were just half a match back in the standings heading into the match. And Northern Colorado couldn't fend them off on their home court and lost 3-0 (22-25, 20-25, 15-25) to fall to 15-6 overall and 9-3 in the Big Sky this season -- a half match back of first place.

Portland State improved to 17-6 and 10-3 with the win. 

"Give credit to Portland State," Northern Colorado coach Lyndsey Benson said. "They were well-prepared, and they got some things on us offensively, and we didn't adjust very well. And then our defense didn't keep us in the match."

The Bears came into the match after posting strong offensive showings during their previous five matches -- which were all victories.

But that trend didn't continue in Portland.

Junior Kenzie Shreeve led in kills (14), but she hit just .189 on the night. Only junior Allison Raguse (nine kills, .263) and freshman Breanna Williams (nine kills, .412) were able to find a rhythm for Northern Colorado. 

That was bad news, considering Portland State ended the night at a scorching .322.

The Bears will now look to put the loss behind them and prepare for the remainder of their schedule. Eastern Washington (14-10, 9-4) awaits on Saturday night, Nov. 8, and then it will be three-in-a-row at home for Northern Colorado to end the season.

The Bears will most likely then be right back in Portland for the Big Sky Conference Tournament, scheduled for Nov. 28 and 29 in the Vikings' Peter W. Stott Center.

"We've just got to rebound," Benson said, "because we've got a tough one against Eastern Washington on Saturday."

UPDATED BIG SKY CONFERENCE VOLLEYBALL STANDINGS (Top four only)
1. Portland State (17-6, 10-3)
2. Northern Colorado (15-6, 9-3)
3. Eastern Washington (14-10, 9-4)
4. Sacramento State (8-18, 6-4)