The Vikings’ descent continues

“We don’t play hard, and I’m sick and tired of harping on it every day. The [players] need to look in the mirror, every single one of them,” Vikings head coach Tyler Geving said after his team’s 84-79 loss to Idaho State at the Stott Center on Thursday night.

“If the [players] are just going to go through the motions, then we should just cancel the season,” Geving added.

Geving’s grievances are understandable, especially considering that the Vikings allowed the worst team in the conference to come into their house and jump on top of them. Before Thursday, Idaho State hadn’t won a Big Sky road game since Feb. 19, 2009.

“This is our house and we let them walk all over us. We’ve go to go out there and throw the first punch,” sophomore guard Chris Harriel said after the game. “Always battling back the whole game gets tough.”

A flat start by the Vikings allowed Idaho State to take a 23-12 lead less than seven minutes into the game, including pushing the lead to as much as 17 twice in the first half. Portland State was able to rally near the end of the period to cut the deficit down to 41-32 at halftime, but the few loyal fans in the crowd had already expressed their disapproval.

“It’s embarrassing when people in the crowd are yelling at you,” Geving said. “You should be embarrassed when the people in the stands who pay to come watch you play can tell you’re not playing hard and are [booing] you.”

“It’s all energy,” Harriel said. “We have to come together as a group and get each other up, get each other motivated.”

The Vikings came out of the break a more determined team, cutting the lead to 49-44 and would get as close as 65-64 with 7:49 left in a second half full of back-and-forth runs. However, Idaho State was able to make the right plays and hit a handful of clutch shots down the stretch to hold on to the win.

“I thought we were going to come back, but we went cold for a little bit and had breakdowns on defense,” Harriel said.

“We competed in the second half, but it’s too late,” Geving said. “You have to bring it from the get-go.”

Despite a 24-point performance from junior guard Charles Odum, the Vikings’ leading scorer, PSU has now dropped three games in a row, and seven of its last nine. Portland State has fallen to seventh place in the Big Sky with a record of 11-13 overall and 4-8 in conference.

“When you start losing, it starts messing with you,” Geving admitted. “But you better play harder then; you better do something to get out of the slump. But not playing hard? I don’t get that one.”

Harriel had 10 points and eight rebounds, although it was only the second time he’s reached double figures in scoring in the last six games. Harriel has struggled with his shot in recent weeks and only managed to shoot 2 of 9 from the field and 0 of 4 from distance against Idaho State.

“I’m struggling right now, but it’s about getting into the gym and getting reps up,” Harriel said. “Just have to stay confident and keep playing how I play. Coach tells me to just keep shooting and keep playing.”

Seniors Melvin Jones and Phillip “Tree” Thomas both scored in double-figures with 12 and 14 points, respectively, but the team’s problem is often their flat effort out of the gate. Too often this season the Vikings allowed themselves to fall behind early and were forced into an uphill climb. Unfortunately, the hole they tend to dig for themselves usually becomes their own grave.

“Lack of energy and lack of competitiveness to begin games—I’m not taking the blame for that anymore,” Geving vented. “I’ll take a lot of blame as the head coach, for this and that, and strategy, but I’m not taking the blame for [effort].”

During the Vikings’ losing streak, the team has visibly lost confidence, and Harriel says the team is “looking for answers.” Often during stretches of games they’ve looked unsure and hesitant out on the court, on both sides of the ball.

“We have zero leadership on this team. Nobody steps up, nobody is a leader, nobody talks,” Geving said. “It starts with the seniors; we have poor senior leaders. I don’t care—print it: We have poor leadership.

“It’d be nice if one day, someone came in and said, ‘Let’s go! We’re going to play hard guys, let’s get after it today!'”

Portland State gets back to work Wednesday, when the Vikings will try to salvage the ship on the road against Weber State.

“Whatever happens the rest of the way, as a coach, I am not quitting on them,” Geving said. “As a coach, I’m going to make sure we go hard every day.” ?