Six losses in a row, what more can we say?
The Eagles swooped in for another kill on the Portland State women’s basketball team last Saturday night. The Vikings fell short of a victory for the sixth game in a row, leaving the Eagles (10-6, 3-0) undefeated in Big Sky play, and the Vikings (3-14, 0-3) still waiting for their first victory of the year.
Even with the return of senior forward Sarah Hedgepeth, who had a remarkable 21 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 steals on her first game back from a five-game absence due to a wrist injury, the Viks still could not manage a win. The Viks left, rightfully hanging their head with the final score 81-66, and the Eagles soaring with the victory.
In addition to Hedgepeth, senior guard Jane Gowans, scored 12 points, and freshman forward Heather Arns continued on her upward shooting streak, posting a career-high 16 points.
The Eagles had four players in double digits. Easter Washington’s senior forward, Kathleen Nygaard had game-highs of 23 points and 16 rebounds. Joanna Chadd had 10 points, Stephanie Ulmer posted 11, and Julie Page added 14 to the Eagles’ tally.
The Eagles shot 47.6 percent from the field, holding the Vikings to 33.3 percent. Once again, the Viks had a rough first half, shooting only 24.2 percent from the field.
However, the team played a much better second half. But shooting 45.8 percent after halftime was still not quite enough to pull off a win for the Viks.
The Eagles led 44-33 at the break, leaving Portland State with the delusion that maybe, just maybe, it might recover and come back in the second half.
To Portland State’s dismay that was not the case. The Eagles opened the second half on a 19-8 run to take a 22-point lead (63-41). Portland State slowed them down a bit, holding themselves within eleven, but never came any closer.
“Honestly, it was really disappointing to watch the Vikings fail so badly tonight,” commented one faithful fan, Bridget Tadd. “I’m still holding out hope for the team, especially in their upcoming game against the Wildcats and Portland State better win this one.”
The Vikings head into their fourth Big Sky Conference game, and third straight road game, on Thursday night when they take on the Weber State Wildcats.
The Wildcats(9-8, 3-1) played their fourth Big Sky game against Sacramento State Saturday night and barely pulled off the win (47-43), shooting under 30 percent. The Viks hope to get their first road win of the year (0-7) this Thursday and bring home a win. Tip-off is at 7:05 p.m.