Vikings split preseason games
Preseason play for the men’s basketball team began on Friday when the Vikings opened at home against Cal State Northridge. In dramatic fashion, the Vikings overcame an 18-0 first-half deficit to succeed in the end, 69-65. Then on Sunday, the Vikings played in Las Vegas, Nev., against the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, only to lose, 69-54.
The offense started out nonexistent on Friday night. In the first possession for the Vikings, Seth Scott missed a dunk on a backdoor play, and from there the Vikings dropped 16 straight points. In the first half, the Vikings shot 30.4 percent from the field and were down as many as 21 points. Northridge, however, lit up the newly renovated Peter Stott Center, shooting 63 percent in the first half and jumping out to the early lead. A cold-shooting first half left the Vikings trailing 41-23 at halftime.
The second half was a different story on both sides. Portland State came out a more aggressive team, causing turnovers and creating better shots. The Vikings went on a three-point barrage, hitting 8-of-13 in the second half. Overall shooting went up as well, going from a cold 30 percent to 61.5 percent in the second half. Northridge, feeling the more aggressive Portland State defense, dropped to 33.3 percent shooting in the second half.
The Vikings were unable to take a lead all the way until the last minute of the game. Until then, Northridge led for the first 39 minutes. The Vikings outscored Northridge in the second half,
Senior Jeb Ivey led the Vikings with 18 points, as junior Seth Scott added 16 before fouling out late in the second half. Fellow senior Kevin Briggs handed out six assists to go with his 11 points.
On Sunday, Portland State traveled to Las Vegas to take on UNLV, which gathered 21 wins last season. Like on Friday, Portland State trailed early, 14-2, but battled back. In the first half, the
Portland State got within four points two times early in the second half. Freshman Marshall Hartman led the way, hitting a couple threes and a layup. The Vikings went in scoring spurts, but overall stayed cold from the field. Not being able to consistently execute, UNLV relied on its athleticism and home crowd to gain a 12-point lead midway through the second half. From there, the Runnin’ Rebels pulled away, leading by 17 at one point and holding for the 69-55 victory in their first game of the season.
Marshal Hartman led all scores for the Vikings, putting in 21. Seth Scott added 17, as well as eight rebounds.
The men next play in the All-Sport River City Rivalry Series against the University of Portland. The game is in the Chiles Center at 7 p.m. Saturday.
