Saturday night, the Portland State men’s bastetball team broke a 10-game skid on the road, by winning 60-53 over the Boise State Broncos.
One year ago, Boise State handily beat a Portland State squad on its home floor 81-66. The story was much different this year as the Vikings were able to win and on the road, something Portland State desperately needed help with last season.
“We played solid ‘D’ and rebounded well, and we came up with key rebounds and free throws that we needed to win the game,” senior forward Jerrohn Jordan said.
Once again Anthony Lackey, who scored 23 points and was able to convert down the stretch, led Portland State to its first victory of the season. There was not one, but two freshmen in the starting line-up on Saturday night. True freshman Aaron Fitzgerald got his first start of the year, along with Billy Feeney who started his second game this season.
“Anthony (Lackey) stepped it up and the freshmen really played with a lot of poise,” Jordan said.
The Broncos built a 10-point first-half lead, but could not hold on to it in the second half as the Vikings drained seven of their 15 three-point field goals attempted for the game. Fitzgerald recorded 15 points on the game, including four rebounds, three assists and knocking in three of four from downtown. Off the bench, Jordan played his most efficient game of the season, playing 19 minutes. Jordan scored nine points and grabbed four rebounds.
The Broncos, who only shot 38 percent from the field, were out shot by Portland State, who shot 42 percent. The Broncos were only able to hit on 25 percent of their shots in the second half, which can probably be commended to the Vikings tough defense which also forced 23 Bronco turnovers.
Next up for the Vikings is Arizona State, as the Vikings travel to Tempe to attempt to gather their second victory in a row on the road. Following Arizona State, the Vikings will have their first home game at the Stott Center on Saturday night when they battle San Diego. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.