Vikings hold off Aussies
The Portland State Vikings outlasted the Australian Institute of Sport in a 68-65, exhibition win Thursday at the Stott Center. Leading scorer, sophomore guard Jenni Ritter, was able to tally 22 points and seven steals in the victory over the Kangaroos.
”Jenni saved us tonight,” said head coach Charity Elliot. “She put big-time pressure on the ball, she was going a hundred miles an hour.”
With the game tied at 63-63 the Vikings were able to shoot 5-of-6 free throws to seal the win. Freshman forward/center Janie Bos hit two foul shots with 46 seconds remaining and junior guard/forward Delaney Conway followed with another pair with 19 seconds left to make the score 67-63.
After a big jumper by Ironmonger went down, junior guard/forward Emily Boscacci made 1-of-2 free throws to put the score at 68-65. The Kangaroos were unable to find a shot to end the game.
”We managed the end of the game very well,” said Elliot. “I have to feel good about that.”
The Australian Institute is a private high school that brings in players from around the country and prepares them to play in international competitions and the Olympics. The girls range in ages from 16, 17 and 18 years old. There also isn’t a single girl on the roster smaller than 5’10”. The much taller Kangaroos frustrated the Viking offense and took control of the inside game. The Aussies blocked 13 Viking shot attempts and held a 63-42 advantage in rebounds.
”They are so smart, they picked apart every mistake that we made and that’s what intelligent players do,” said Elliot.
The Vikings shot a meager 26.6 percent from the field while the Kangaroos shot 44.4 percent.
The disadvantage in shooting percentage was made up in the turnover column. The Vikings defense forced 38 turnovers, 26 in the first half. PSU accounted for 21 steals in the game as senior guard Heather Arms forced five to go along with Ritter’s seven.
”We play up-in-your-face defense,” said Ritter. “It’s all about pressure.”
Janie Bos, Portland State’s top rebounder had eight boards to go along with 16 points on the game.
”Janie Bos was a stud tonight,” said Elliot. “Jenni Ritter and Janie Bos were the difference tonight.”
An area of concern for the Vikings is at the point guard position. During the game the Vikings struggled to run their offense as none of the point guards stepped up. Elliot said that the lack of offensive leadership could be attributed to changing the offense to adapt to the Australian’s size and first-game nervousness. Emily Boscacci seems to be the starter, but might move around depending on the development of freshman Claire Faucher or second-year player Kailey Bostwick.
