The Portland State women’s basketball team, without the leadership of head coach Sherri Murrell and starting junior guard Lexi Bishop, lost to the Boise State Broncos, 92-80, in their first away game on Thursday.
Boise State’s Jessica Van Hoogen chalked up 24 points on the night to lead both squads in scoring, while Portland State’s senior guard Claire Faucher posted 16 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Vikings.
Even with Faucher, junior guard Kelly Marchant and sophomore forward Katy Wade, who each tallied 11 points, the Broncos held control for much of the game.
Leading up to the game, the Portland State team had been fighting off the flu, with as many as six players battling symptoms during the week. Bishop did not travel due to flu-like symptoms, while Murrell did travel with her team, but did not coach due to symptoms.
After falling behind to Boise State’s 30-23 lead 15 minutes into the game, the Vikings rallied to close the gap to three points with 38 seconds left in the half. In the last five seconds of the half, a jumper by Melissa Rima gave the Broncos a 35-30 lead going into the break.
The second half began in Boise State’s hands, as they sped away to an early 47-34 lead. The Vikings weren’t finished though, with three-pointers by Faucher, Wade and freshman guard Nichole Jackson bringing the score to within one, at 52-51.
After Portland State’s comeback performance, the Broncos took control of the court with some help from a frustrated Viks squad. Portland State was called on a season-high 31 fouls, and Boise State capitalized by making 26 of 40 free throws. The Vikings were only given 10 attempts at the free-throw line, sinking five, from the Broncos 14 fouls.
“I think the one key thing is that Boise State did a good job testing our defense,” said associate head coach Peg Swadener, who led the Vikings in the absence of Murrell.
Playing without Bishop, a key defensive player, the younger Vikings players were put to the test.
“It was a big loss not having Lexi…in there,” Swadener said. “Because our defense is really centered around her.”
Defensive rebounds were problematic for Portland State, who posted 19 to Boise State’s 29.
The Vikings did post a strong offensive battle. They had 17 offensive rebounds to the Broncos’ 18, and Faucher played a strong game for Portland State. Her 10 assists enabled the Vikings to keep up with Boise State.
“Claire is the heartbeat behind the team. She’s so competitive,” Swadener said.
Though the Vikings never held the lead, a win was never out of reach according to Swadener.
“Even though Boise State had control, we were always right there,” she said. “Claire was always there to get us back in.”
Playing without a full string, and with Murrell out, the Vikings had setbacks going into the game. With Faucher, Wade and Marchant putting significant points on the board, the Vikings did not lose sight of their competitors.
The Vikings, now 2-1 on the season, face their cross-town rivals at the University of Portland tonight. First tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.