Hustle play

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.

Rising to the occasion, the Vikings dominated the boards en route to a 67-57 victory over the host Aggies, pushing their record to 6-4 and ending their only losing streak this season. Second year head coach Sherri Murrell understood the challenges facing her team on the road, but urged her players to overcome them the old-fashioned way: hard work.

“We’ve had a tough road schedule so far, and we’ve lost to some good teams,” Murrell said. “Shots don’t fall on the road as much as they do in the Stott Center. I challenged the women to work hard and hustle to get ahead.”

As has been the case for their road games all season, Portland State shot poorly on Tuesday, going just 36% from the field. But, heeding their coach’s sage advice, the Vikings attacked the boards, pulling down a total of 41 rebounds, 17 of which came on the offensive end.

From these second chance possessions, the Vikings were able to add 15 points to their total.

The Vikings worked hard on the other end of the ball as well, hounding the Aggies on defense and forcing them into 17 turnovers. The smaller Vikings team used their quickness to their advantage, swiping 8 steals on the day.

Another key factor in Portland State’s victory was the resurgence of junior point guard Claire Faucher, who paced the Vikings with 19 points while dishing out eight dimes. Before Tuesday’s contest, Faucher had been struggling in recent games, managing just seven points in their previous three contests.

Hampered by an ankle injury all season, the team’s on-court general had lacked the explosiveness that earned her All-American honorable mention honors last season. But Murrell knew it was only a matter of time before the team-leader in assists came alive.

“We need Claire,” said Murrell. “She makes a big difference on the team, and this was clearly a statement game.”

Though the Aggies hung within striking distance for most of the night, Portland State was finally able to put the game out of reach by a pair of free-throws by Kelli Valentine that extended the Viking lead to 10 with only 1:35 remaining.

Valentine ended the night with 10 points and was among four Vikings who scored in double figures (Faucher (19), sophomore guard Kelly Marchant (11), senior forward Kelsey Kahle (10). Faucher, Kahle, and freshman guard Eryn Jones all had two steals on the night, and forward Lexi Bishop and Valentine had one theft apiece.

Murrell sees the victory on Tuesday night as a sign that her team is becoming more confident and determined on the road. Anticipating what to expect in foreign arenas is one aspect that she believes her team can improve.

“One of the reasons we set the schedule up like we did was to have those challenges,” Murrell said. “Now (the players) know that they have to dig in and make hustle plays. The tough road games are great learning experiences.”

For a little while, at least, the Vikings will have a break from the road, as they begin a four game home-stand this Sunday against the Manhattan Jaspers (4-6), who represent the third team from New York the Vikings will have faced this season.

“I wanted to have a different flavor to our opposition, and this team is a good example,” Murrell Said. “They are a tall, physical East coast team that is strong in on-ball situations.”

With all the experience they’ve gained on the road thus far, the Vikings have not lost their winning touch at home, going 3-0 this season at the Stott Center. The tip-off on Sunday is at 2:05.