Slipping down among the bottom three teams in the Big Sky Conference, the Portland State women’s basketball team hopes to regain some momentum on the road this weekend. The team has just one game on the schedule this week, a revenge matchup against Southern Utah University. The Thunderbirds handed the Vikings a devastating overtime loss last month.
Portland State, 11-12 overall and 5-9 in conference, comes into the game off a loss to California State University, Sacramento last Saturday. The Vikings fought hard but were unable to account for the Hornets’ aggressive defense and dropped a close game at the Stott Center. The team knows that they will need to remain calm throughout the game to come out ahead in these kinds of close contests.
“From past experience, we have known that getting frazzled doesn’t help at all,” freshman guard Emily Easom said. “And we know that we have to keep our composure next weekend, because that’s what good teams do.”
Due to illnesses, injuries and changes in the starting lineup, the team has seen new players emerge as leaders. Easom has scored in double-digits in three of her four starts for the Vikings, including a career-high 25 points in the loss to Sacramento State. Sophomore guard Allison Greene has also proven that she deserves her starting role, registering double-digit scoring performances in her last seven games. Greene had a career-high 23 points against Northern Arizona University last Thursday.
They are joined on the front lines by senior guard Courtney VanBrocklin and junior forward Angela Misa. VanBrocklin is the Vikings’ leading scorer this year and had 20 points against Sacramento State, and Misa has been the team’s anchor in the post, averaging 10 rebounds and providing solid interior defense. With only a month remaining before the Big Sky Championship, every team in the Conference understands the importance of a late-season win. Coach Sherri Murrell wants her team to hold onto its focus and maintain their form through to the final buzzer every time. “I really want those girls to embrace that it’s one game at a time,” she said.
Thursday’s game is slated to begin at 6 p.m. Live stats can be found at goviks.com.