Women score two wins at home
The Viking women’s basketball team (10-12 overall, 5-4 in the Big Sky) was able to put away two conference rivals, Northern Arizona (63-56) and Sacramento State (69-55), at the Peter Stott Center last week.
There can be no doubt that the Portland State team has exhibited difficulties on the road this season. So far, it is only 2-10 in games taking place outside of the Stott Center. But at the same time, it is turning in an impressive 8-2 home record.
Viking head coach George Wolfe estimates that his team has “legitimately lost only about four games on the road.” The rest of the losses, according to Wolfe, are attributable to the often hectic travel pace necessary in the Big Sky Conference, as well as mental weakness when it comes to facing opposing crowds.
The Vikings look like a completely different team at home. After losing an earlier season match-up with Northern Arizona in Flagstaff, 65-42, PSU was able to defeat the team Thursday night.
The victory did not come easily. At several points in the game, the Lumberjacks were able to come back from substantial deficits to challenge the PSU lead, including a run at the end of the game that cut a 19-point Viking advantage down to just five. PSU recovered in the final minute, making seven of eight free throws to seal the victory.
Both teams had mediocre shooting nights, with PSU earning a 31.7 percent field-goal percentage and NAU struggling at just 31.1 percent. However, the Vikings had a season-high 59 boards, compared to the Lumberjacks’ 34.
Viking Sarah Hedgepeth posted her sixth double-double of the season with 15 points and 16 rebounds. Michelle Thueson had 13 points and five rebounds. Nikki Petticrew was close behind with 12 points, five rebounds.
Lumberjack Lacey Tolbert was her team’s leading scorer with 16 points. Guard Joy Dixon added 15.
After a loss to Eastern Washington on Saturday, NAU is currently 10-12 overall, 3-6 in Big Sky Conference play.
The Vikings went on to dominate Sacramento State on Saturday. The outcome was somewhat predictable – the Hornets lost a previous game to PSU this season and are only 2-20 overall, 0-9 in the Big Sky.
Surprisingly, Viking standout Hedgepeth, who had 31 points and 12 rebounds in that last match-up with the Hornets, was held to only seven points and nine rebounds in this game. Nikki Petticrew picked up the slack with 15 points, four rebounds. Michelle Thueson had 10 points, five assists.
Hornets Kristine Knowlton and Danielle Iceman had 12 points apiece.
Next up, the Vikings hit the road for a game against Eastern Washington on Saturday.
Portland State 63, Northern Arizona 56
Viking Scorers: Sarah Hedgepeth 15, Nikki Sadowski 4, Michelle Thueson 13, Jenny Poe 6, Nikki Petticrew 12, Heidi Stuart 3, Jenna Washington 2, Tiffanie Ward 2, Carrie Spencer 6.
SCORE BY PERIODS: 1st 2nd TOTAL
PSU 41 22 63
NAU 22 34 56
Portland State 69, Sacramento State 55
Viking Scorers: Sarah Hedgepeth 7, Nikki Sadowski 6, Michelle Thueson 10, Jenny Poe 7, Nikki Petticrew 15, Heidi Stuart 7, Jenna Washington 2, Jane Gowans 4, Carrie Spencer 9, Lena Grant 2.
SCORE BY PERIODS: 1st 2nd TOTAL
PSU 31 38 69
Sac St. 25 30 55
