After a string of losses, the Portland State women’s basketball team (2-3 overall) will finally return home this Saturday to host the Nevada Wolfpack at the Stott Center.
The Vikings are coming off a tough three-game road trip, which included games against the Oregon Ducks, the Portland Pilots and the Gonzaga Bulldogs. The Vikings were winless against their non-conference opponents, and head coach Sherri Murrell is looking forward to returning to the Park Blocks.
“We got to get back to our winning ways,” Murrell said. “Saturday’s going be another tough game, Nevada is a tournament team. Hopefully, Stott will help us. There is no better way to get over some losses than by winning.”
Nevada has a 2-2 record overall and has had their share of struggles so far this season, including a 103-65 loss to Penn State last week. The Wolfpack have been led this season by senior guard Kate Kevorken, who is averaging 16.2 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. She is also leading her team from the three-point line, making 12 of the 23 shots she has attempted from distance.
Portland State will have their hands full with Kevorken and the Wolfpack, however, defense hasn’t been the problem so far this season. The Vikings have struggled on the offensive side. Portland State is averaging 67 points per game while shooting 37 percent from the field. In the previous three games, the Vikings have experienced scoring droughts, including a nine-and-a-half-minute scoreless stretch against the Pilots.
“We’re playing good teams on the road,” Murrell said. “It’s not like we are playing bad teams. At Oregon, we struggled shooting, same thing at Portland. Oregon, Portland and Gonzaga are good teams. If we just stay focused and get better at things, then we’ll be fine.”
Sophomore guard Kate Lanz has played well through the Vikings’ offensive struggles. Lanz scored a combined 36 points against the Pilots and Bulldogs, leading the Vikings in scoring for both games. Lanz missed the first two games of the season due to injury but has quickly become a dangerous offensive weapon.
“She is still trying to figure out her role on the team.” Murrell said. “But she is definitely helping.”
Through five games, junior guard Courtney VanBrocklin is leading the team in scoring with 16.4 points per game. Senior guard Eryn Jones, the 2010 Big Sky MVP, is third on the team in scoring at 15.7 points per game and adds 4.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists a game. Jones also tops the team in three-pointers made, sinking 17 of her 43 attempts.
Portland State starts to get into the main part of their schedule over winter break. The Vikings will play two of their next three games at home before heading out to participate in the Chevron Rainbow Wahine Shootout. The tournament takes place in Hawaii, and Portland State will play three games in three consecutive days, including games against Denver, University of California, Davis, and host-team Hawai’i.
After more than a week off over the holidays, the Vikings will be back at home to play two in a row at the Stott Center, including a New Year’s Eve game against the Montana State Grizzlies. The Montana State matchup will kick off the Big Sky conference regular season for both teams.
Tipoff for this Saturday’s game against Nevada is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Stott Center. Saturday’s game will also be the first of a double-header, as the men’s team will play Walla Walla after the conclusion of the women’s game.