What: Portland State (13-6, 6-0 BSC) vs. Montana (17-3, 6-0 BSC)
When: Today, 7:05 p.m.
Where: Stott Center
On the air: www.bigskytv.org (audio and video), www.goviks.com (statistics)
Stars: Sophomore forward Kelli Valentine was named the Co-Big Sky Conference Player of the Week for Jan. 19–26, along with senior guard Mandy Morales for Montana.
Valentine is fresh off of a 14-point, nine-rebound performance against Eastern Washington, while Morales leads the Lady Griz’ with 15.4 points, six assists and four rebounds per game.
In their last meeting in the conference tournament, Morales exploded for 31 points, seven assists and eight rebounds. PSU guard Claire Faucher countered with a 27-point, seven-assist, six-rebound performance of her own.
Just a taste: Both teams roll into the contest with perfect 6-0 conference records, though Montana has won their last nine, and 14 of their last 15 games to solidify their status as the team to beat in the Big Sky.
The two teams met three times last year, with the Vikings defeating Montana at the Stott Center, but falling in both games in Missoula, including in the semi-finals matchup in the Big Sky Tournament. The 94-80 loss in the tournament marked the end of head coach Sherri Murrell’s first season at the helm for the Vikings.