Vikings trounce Lumberjacks 89-63

After dropping two games in Montana last weekend, the Vikings (16-6, 6-3 BSC) returned home to the Stott Center Thursday night just in time to defeat Northern Arizona (7-15, 3-6 BSC) 89-63, keeping their perfect 10-0 home record intact.

The Vikings jumped out to a 7-0 lead and never looked back, getting solid performances from sophomore post Erin Yankus and freshman guard Kelly Marchant en route to an easy victory. Seven Portland State players finished with at least seven points, led by Yankus’ 20 points off the bench. Also chipping in 18 points, Marchant hit seven of nine field goals.

“We really needed the win tonight back here in our own gym,” said head coach Sherri Murrell. “I thought that we did a good job of creating energy tonight and playing aggressive.”

Aggressive play on the defensive end helped force the Lumberjacks into 25 turnovers, which led to 37 Portland State points.

On the other end, the Vikings’ aggressive offensive attack forced the Big Sky Conference’s leader in shot blocks, junior center Ashley Ingle, into foul trouble early. With the Lumberjacks’ premier interior defender on the bench, the Vikings pounded the ball into Yankus, junior forward Kelsey Kahle and freshman Kelli Valentine.

“Erin really had a good game tonight. It is good to have her back to her old self,” Murrell said.

The Stott Center continued to serve as the right medicine for Portland State’s shooting woes, as the Vikings shot nearly 65 percent from the field. The Vikings’ bench outscored Northern Arizona 37-17.