Confidence breeds success

In a matchup that showcased two Big Sky teams with bright futures, the Vikings (17-6, 7-3 BSC) squeaked by Sacramento State (6-16, 4-6 BSC) in an overtime thriller 68-67. The victory keeps the Vikings in the Big Sky Conference championship race, just one game behind both Montana and Idaho State.

In a game as intense as any that the Stott Center has played host to this season, Portland State managed to overcome several of its crucial mistakes as well as a brilliant Hornets’ performance to steal a game it desperately needed to keep pace in the Big Sky.

“I didn’t have my best game,” said sophomore point guard Claire Faucher. “But in the end we got the win and we stay perfect here on our court.”

Faucher’s sentiments echoed the feelings of many the Viking players who, while admitting their imperfect performance, felt confident that they would run their record to 11-0 inside the Stott Center this season. Portland State’s confidence was crucial in a matchup of two teams that seemed to mirror each other’s style of play, offensive balance, defensive intensity and youth.

Both squads had their opportunities down the stretch to secure the win. With just under two minutes to play, Faucher’s heroics began as she was able to cross over a Hornet defender and hit a momentum-swinging jumper to give Portland State a one-point lead.

After two Faucher free throws gave the Vikings a three-point lead, Sacramento State sophomore guard Charday Hunt was fouled on a three pointer, hitting all three free throws to tie the game 61-61.

Freshman Lexi Bishop came off the bench to give the Vikings the spark they needed in overtime as she knocked down a three-pointer and free throw. Sacramento State had another opportunity to win, but their long three-point attempt was off the mark.

After their difficult road trip last weekend, the Vikings coaching staff was eager to get the players in the practice gym during last week, and sought improvement in rebounding, defensive positioning and taking better care of the ball.

“We really have a few things that we need to get better at,” said head coach Sherri Murrell after her team’s two losses in the state of Montana.

Judging by their performance Saturday, the Vikings will keep striving for that improvement this week, as they narrowly avoided Sacramento State’s upset attempt, and have road matchups with Idaho State and Weber State this week.

Despite playing what Murrell called “certainly not our best game,” the Vikings did find one element of their game that was clearly lacking in those previous two games on the road: confidence.

“Wins are wins, and as ugly as we played tonight, I give a lot of credit to the kids for having the confidence to get this one,” Murrell said.

Viking fans have grown accustomed to seeing their team’s play fluctuate from half-to-half, but Portland State has typically struggled at first, only to improve and play more solid basketball in the latter portion of the game. In Saturday’s contest, the Vikings played well in the first half, only to struggle on both ends of the court during the second stanza.

Fueled by a 13-0 run to start the second half, the Hornets’ lead would hold until just under the four minute mark, when junior forward Kelsey Kahle hit a jumper that made it 55-53.

Kahle, Faucher and sophomore post Erin Yankus reached double digits in scoring, while Sacramento State junior center Atty Boyer had a team-high 17 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks.

Faucher battled with freshman point guard Sami Field-Polisso throughout the contest, as the Hornets’ youngster had 14 points and six assists. At one point, the two teams on the floor were comprised of six freshmen, two sophomores and two juniors.

Although the loss keeps Sacramento State fighting for the sixth and final playoff spot in the Big Sky Conference Tournament, it seems likely that these two squads will do battle again in the near future. If that battle does not come this season, then maybe it will be next season-and possibly for a conference championship.