Extra Faucher in Bozeman

For the first time in four tries since taking over as head coach, Sherri Murrell finally got a victory against Montana State, as the Vikings gritted out a solid road win, 75-61 in Bozeman last night.

Two defeats last season and an upset road victory by Montana State earlier in the year—the Vikings only loss in the Big Sky Conference this season—were motivation enough for Portland State, who improved its record to 21-7 and 14-1 in conference play.

For the second year in a row, junior point guard Claire Faucher turned in an unbelievable performance in the state of Montana.

Last year it was in the Big Sky Tournament, where the Spokane, Wash., native nearly earned two consecutive triple-doubles.

Thursday night, Faucher continued her stellar play in the Big Sky State, just missing a quadruple-double with 20 points, 10 rebounds, 10 steals and eight assists to avenge the Vikings earlier loss to Montana State this season.

In a game that was more closely contested than the final score indicated, the Vikings were able to pull away late, relying on solid backcourt play from Faucher, freshman Eryn Jones, sophomores Kelly Marchant and Lexi Bishop and senior sharpshooter Katie Hadj-Hamou.

In addition to Faucher’s brilliant play, the Vikings got strong performances from seniors Kelsey Kahle and Hadj-Hamou. A Hadj-Hamou three-pointer with nearly a minute to play gave the Vikings a 10-point lead and provided the final nail in the Montana State coffin.

The win helps the Vikings keep pace with Montana, who also earned a victory, and sets up a huge matchup with the Lady Griz’ on Saturday afternoon in Missoula, Mont.

The Griz’, a long-time dominating force in Big Sky women’s basketball, will have an opportunity to claim the outright conference championship and the right to host the Big Sky Tournament next weekend. And the stakes are the same for Portland State.

Both squads enter the matchup with just one conference loss and neither have lost since the end of January. 

Montana defeated Portland State twice on its home floor last year to add more fuel to the brewing rivalry.