Author: Doug Cornett

Kelsey Kahle didn’t need a lot of words to express herself after Saturday’s 92-71 victory over Northern Colorado, in which she surpassed the school’s all-time career scoring mark.

There are no rabbit feet hanging in Kelsey Kahle’s locker. There isn’t a certain song she must listen to before the start of every game. Kahle doesn’t believe in complicating things.

When you lead the Big Sky Conference in scoring and only 31 points separate you from breaking your school’s all-time points record, opposing teams are going to prepare for you. Such is the case for senior forward Kelsey Kahle, who routinely sees extra attention from the defense when she is on the floor.

In the early stages of Thursday night’s road game against the Weber State Wildcats, second-year women’s basketball Head Coach Sherri Murrell wasn’t sure what sport her squad was playing out on the floor.

The long break between fall and winter quarters is traditionally a time to relax, clear your head and take comfort in being at home.

After dropping their last two games and three of their last four, the Portland State women’s basketball squad recognized their road game on Tuesday against Utah State (4-6) as a must-win match-up. With a loss, the team would fall to .500 for the first time all season.

The days are growing bleaker, the temperature is getting lower and the sun makes fewer and fewer appearances. In short, it’s the end of another year in Portland, and the perfect opportunity to reflect upon the sports happenings that the Park Blocks have witnessed in the last 12 months.

If you happened to be among the 561 faithful women’s basketball fans at the Stott Center on Wednesday night–Thanksgiving Eve–then you were treated to an uncommon sight: a scoreboard testifying to a 72-56 Viking home victory over cross-town rival University of Portland.

Despite having to brave a grueling travel schedule and a discombobulating time-zone shift, the Vikings managed to split a pair of games in their first road trip to New York since the 1997-98 season. After rolling to a 62-52 victory against the Binghamton Bearcats on Friday night, the Vikings were stopped in their tracks by the Syracuse Orange, 82-77, in a hotly contested overtime battle at the Carrier Dome.

As a member of the Big Sky Conference, the Vikings are accustomed to traveling vast distances for away games, but this weekend’s road trip is a little longer than usual. The women’s basketball squad will be making its second ever appearance in the state of New York when they are hosted by the Binghamton Bearcats for their home opener.

It mattered not that Portland State came into Friday night’s season opener against BYU having never won a game in the series and giving up a serious height advantage at the post positions. Portland State played big, bullying the Cougars in the paint and scrapping to a 73-64 opening night win in front of an enthusiastic home crowd at the Stott Center.