TIPOFF The first half of the Big Sky Conference schedule closed Saturday for the Portland State women's basketball team with its game at Montana. Nine games in, the Vikings sit 4-5 in Big Sky play and in sixth place – a half-game ahead of Idaho, their opponent Thursday (6 p.m. tip.)
It's fitting that the Vikings kick off the second half of the Big Sky schedule against the Vandals. Potential seeding for the Big Sky tournament always steps into focus during the latter part of the regular season.
The six/seven line is of particular importance this year. The seventh seed has to play on the opening day of the tournament – Saturday, March 4 – against the eighth seed. If they win, then they'll play the second seed the next day. Meanwhile, the sixth seed doesn't have to play until Monday, March 6 – two days after the seventh seed plays – and receives a buy in the quarterfinals.
A win over Idaho Thursday would not only strengthen the Vikings' position in the standings, it'd also give them the season sweep over the Vandals, which could be an important tiebreaker at the end of the season.
The Vikings beat Idaho once already this season, as they topped the Vandals 53-43 at Viking Pavilion on Jan. 7. The 43 points Idaho scored were the fewest a Big Sky opponent has scored against the Vikings since Weber State totaled 38 points on Jan. 31, 2019. Additionally, the Vandals shot just 28.6 percent against the Vikings while making a season-low three three-pointers in the game.
That game served as a sliding doors moment for both teams in that they went in opposite directions afterwards. For the Vikings, the win marked their first conference win since 2021 while kicking off a run of four wins in five games. For the Vandals, the loss marked their second of what would become a six-game losing streak.
The Vandals snapped out of their losing streak last weekend, as they swept Weber State and Idaho State on the road. They initially broke out of their slump with a 66-52 win at Weber State last Thursday, then followed with a 68-61 win over Idaho State Saturday.
Despite all their recent struggles, the Vandals still represent one of the most dangerous three-point shooting teams, both within the Big Sky Conference and nationally. They enter Thursday third in the NCAA with 29.1 three-point attempts per game, while they also rank seventh with 9.4 three-pointers made per game.
So, their three makes against the Vikings represented an anomaly. Not only did it mark a season low, it was half their next-lowest total this season. Against Weber State and Idaho State this past weekend, the Vandals hit 12 three-pointers in each game.
So, the Vikings know stopping the Vandals' three-point shooting will be key again Thursday, as will be limiting the damage from Idaho's Beyonce Bea. She enters Thursday ranked second in the Big Sky and 12th nationally with 21.2 points per game. She also stands fourth in the Big Sky with 8.4 rebounds per game, and has eight double-doubles already this season.
Bea scored 23 of the Vandals' 43 points last time against the Vikings, but that left the rest of the Vandals with only 20. had her best game of the season while going against Bea in the post. She tied her career high with 13 rebounds in the game while adding eight points and two steals.
Ogele led a strong effort on the glass for the Vikings as a team. The Vikings out-rebounded the Vandals 43-to-39, no easy feat against a team that ranks second in the Big Sky and 52nd nationally with 27.9 defensive rebounds per game.
The Vikings also took care of the ball well against the Vandals, a necessity given that the Vandals rank second in the Big Sky and 17th in the NCAA with only 12.8 turnovers given up per game.
Of course, the familiarity between the two teams makes the keys to the game obvious. That's the nature of facing a team again during the second half of a conference schedule. And with that comes a focus on seeding, which will be top of mind Thursday.
GAME NOTES: PORTLAND STATE (9-10, 4-5) vs. IDAHO (8-13, 4-6) GAME DETAILS: Thursday, Feb. 2, 6 p.m. PT, Moscow, Idaho (ICCU Arena)
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SCOUTING IDAHO: The Idaho Vandals swept their trip to Weber State and Idaho State last weekend, snapping a six-game losing streak for the Vandals within Big Sky play. The Vandals initially broke out of their slump with a 66-52 road win at Weber State on Jan. 26, then followed with a 68-61 win over Idaho State on Jan. 28. The Vandals remain one of the most prolific three-point shooting teams – both within the Big Sky Conference and the NCAA – despite their struggles. The Vandals lead the Big Sky and rank third nationally with 29.1 three-point attempts per game. They also top the conference and rank seventh nationally with 9.4 three-point makes per game. Sydney Gandy and Tiana Johnson lead the Vandals' efforts from the outside, as they stand second and ninth in the Big Sky, respectively, with 2.62 and 2.00 three-pointers made per game. The Vandals' biggest offensive weapon, however, remains two-time All-Big Sky first-team selection Beyonce Bea. Bea scored 23 of the Vandals' 43 points against the Vikings in the teams' last game against each other earlier this season. She enters Thursday second in the Big Sky and 12th nationally with 21.2 points per game. She also ranks fourth in the conference and 68th nationally with 8.4 rebounds per game and has eight double-doubles already this season. The other aspects of the Vandals' game that have been solid so far this season are their ball handling and their defensive rebounding. On the ball, the Vandals are only giving up 12.8 turnovers per game, an average that ranks them second in the Big Sky and 17th nationally. They also rank second in the Big Sky with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.07. Gandy and Rosa Smith has led the Vandals in that area, as they rank fifth and eighth, respectively, with assist-to-turnover ratios of 1.63 and 1.19. On the glass, the Vandals rank second in the Big Sky and 52nd nationally with 27.9 defensive rebounds per game. Bea leads the team with 6.29 defensive rebounds per game, ranking her fourth in the conference individually.
ALL-TIME SERIES: The Vandals lead the all-time series between them and the Vikings, 33-15. The Vikings snapped a seven-game losing streak to the Vandals with a 53-43 win at Viking Pavilion back on Jan. 7. The Vandals had won 17 of their previous 19 games against the Vikings before their meeting earlier this season.
STORYLINES/STREAKS/RECORDS The Vikings dropped both games in Montana last weekend to open a four-game road trip. They lost 64-52 to Montana State on Jan. 26, and then 88-56 to Montana on Jan. 28. Last weekend's losses followed a stretch in which the Vikings had won four of five. Three of those four wins came at home, however. The Vikings are just 1-3 on the road so far within Big Sky play. Montana set season highs for points (88), three-pointers (13) and three-point field goal percentage (.500) by a Viking opponent in the Lady Griz's 88-56 win over the Vikings last Saturday. The Vikings are averaging five free throw attempts per game less (16.3-to-11.3) than their opponents within Big Sky play. Montana State outshot the Vikings 20-to-2 from the free throw line in their win over the Vikings last Thursday. The Idaho State became the seventh different team that the Vikings have held below 60 points this season, when the Vikings beat the Bengals, 48-47, on Jan. 21. Overall, the Vikings rank third in the Big Sky and 112nd nationally while allowing only 61.5 points per game. A year ago, the Vikings ranked 322nd in scoring defense while giving up close to 72 points a game. Esmeralda Morales had been shooting better than 50.0 percent in Big Sky play, both from the field and from three-point range, but shot just 10-of-33 (.303) overall and 5-of-17 (.294) from the outside across both games last weekend. Jada Lewis broke out of a shooting slump during the Vikings' trip to Montana. She set conference season highs for three-pointers made in both games, hitting three against Montana State last Thursday, then four against Montana Saturday. Lewis shot 7-of-16 (.438) combined from three-point range between both games after starting just 7-of-35 (.200) from deep through the team's first seven conference games. Esmeralda Morales leads the Big Sky in four different statistical categories while she ranks in the top 15 of the conference in seven total categories. Morales leads the conference in steals per game (2.37), three-point field goal percentage (.466), three-pointers made per game (2.84) and minutes played per game (36.5). Her 46.6 percent mark from three-point range is just off the single-season school record of 47.0 percent that P.J. Hall set during the 1993-94 season. Jada Lewis ranks fifth in the Big Sky and 73rd nationally with 2.42 three-pointers made per game. She also ranks sixth in the conference with a three-point field goal percentage of .357. As a team, the Vikings rank second in the Big Sky and 42nd in the NCAA with a three-point field goal percentage of 35.0 percent. Esmeralda Morales has five 20-point games this season. She ranks fifth in the Big Sky with 16.1 points per game. That's close to four points per game more than she averaged as a freshman when she led the Vikings with 12.5 ppg. The Vikings recorded 12 steals against Weber State on Jan. 19. It was their eighth game of the season with 10+ steals. The Vikings now rank third in the Big Sky and 76th nationally with 9.21 steals per game. Esmeralda Morales and Mia 'Uhila rank first and third in the Big Sky, respectively, with 2.37 and 1.88 steals per game. Jada Lewis passed Sidney Rielly (2016-19) for sixth on the all-time list for made three-pointers with five against Fresno State on Dec. 1. Lewis now has 172 makes in her PSU career. She needs 12 more to pass Karrin Wilson (1996-2000) for fifth all time. The Vikings chose "competitive," "hungry," and "family" as the three words to define their 2022-23 season. The players voted on the words at their team retreat in September. The Vikings are coming off a 2021-22 season in which they went 5-24 overall and 0-20 in Big Sky play. The Vikings started three freshmen in all but one game last season, while four of the team's top six scorers were freshmen. Esmeralda Morales, then a freshman, led the Vikings while ranking 11th in the Big Sky with 12.5 points per game last season. Her classmates Alaya Fitzgerald, Mia 'Uhila and Rhema Ogele followed with 9.3, 6.0 and 5.2 points per game, respectively. Head coach Chelsey Gregg enters her second year at the helm for the Vikings. Before becoming head coach, she spent the previous six seasons as first an assistant then an associate head coach for the Vikings. A season after they started three freshmen, the Vikings will still be young this season as they sport 10 underclassmen between three freshmen and seven sophomores (includes redshirts). BREAKTHROUGH WINS The floodgates opened for the Vikings after their breakthrough win over Idaho on Jan. 7. After losing 22 conference games in a row, including all 20 last season, the Vikings won four of five conference games in the middle of January, including the program's first 2-0 conference weekend since Feb. 2021. The Vikings swept Weber State and Idaho State for the 2-0 weekend, beating both teams by a single point. The Vikings topped the Wildcats 65-64 on Jan. 19 on a go-ahead three-pointer from with 1.9 seconds remaining. They followed with a 48-47 win over Idaho State on Jan. 21, holding the Bengals scoreless over the final 3:33 of game time. What's more, the Vikings' wins over Idaho State and Idaho gave them victories over two teams that have tormented the Vikings in the past. The initial breakthrough win against Idaho marked just the third time the Vikings had beaten the Vandals in their past 20 games against each other. The win over the Bengals, meanwhile, was just the Vikings' second in their past 24 games against them.
DE-FENSE, DE-FENSE A season after the Vikings ranked last in the Big Sky and 322nd in the NCAA for scoring defense, it's been almost a 180-degree turn for the Vikings' defense this season. The Vikings held Idaho to just 43 points in their win on Jan. 7, the fewest points a conference opponent has scored against the Vikings since Weber State totaled 38 points on Jan. 31, 2019. Idaho State didn't score that much more in their game against the Vikings on Jan. 21, as the Vikings held them to just 47 points. Idaho State and Idaho are two of seven opponents this season that the Vikings have held to under 60 points in a game. Northern Arizona scored more than 60 points against the Vikings on Jan. 12, but the Vikings still held the Lumberjacks – the Big Sky's top offense, averaging more than 78 points per game at the time – to 12 points below their average in a 78-66 win. While Montana scored a season-high 88 points last Saturday, the Vikings still rank third in the Big Sky and 112th nationally while allowing 61.5 points per game. Montana was just the fifth team to score more than 70 points against the Vikings this season, and one of the other four teams (Seattle U on Nov. 17) only did so because the game went to overtime.
THREE-POINT SHOOTING put a punctuation mark on a standout season for her from beyond the three-point line when she hit a game-winning three with 1.9 seconds remaining to beat Weber State on Jan. 19. Morales hardly needed a punctuation mark since she's leading the Big Sky in both three-pointers made per game and percentage, but it gave her one anyways. In addition to leading the conference, Morales ranks in the top 25 nationally in both makes and percentage. She stands 23rd nationally with 2.84 three-pointers made per game, while she ranks sixth in percentage at 46.6 percent. Her 46.6-percent mark is just off the current single-season school record of 47.0 percent that P.J. Hall set during the 1993-94 season. , meanwhile, broke out of a slump to start Big Sky play with a strong weekend in Montana. Lewis set conference season highs for three-point makes in both games, opening with three triples against Montana State last Thursday, then following with four makes against Montana Saturday. Lewis now ranks fifth in the Big Sky and 73rd nationally with 2.42 three-pointers made per game. She also ranks sixth in the conference while shooting 35.7 percent from deep. Together, Morales and Lewis account for 100 of the Vikings' 135 three-point makes this season. , who hit a career-high four three-pointers against Idaho State on Jan. 21, ranks third on the team with 17 makes this season. As a team, the Vikings rank second in the Big Sky and 42nd in the NCAA with a three-point field goal percentage of .350. They rank fifth in the Big Sky with 7.11 three-pointers made per game.
SWIPING LEFT AND RIGHT Gen Z knows how to swipe. Not just on their phones it turns out, as the Vikings have proven so far this season. The Vikings opened the year with 22 steals against Warner Pacific on Nov. 7, the program's most steals in a single game since they also had 22 in a win over Idaho on Dec. 20, 2006. They recorded 12 steals against Weber State on Jan. 19, as , and all had at least three steals. As a team, the Vikings have posted 10+ steals in eight of their 19 games this season, and had nine steals in two other games. The Vikings now rank third in the Big Sky and 76th in the NCAA with 9.21 steals per game. Individually, leads the Big Sky while ranking 53rd nationally with 2.37 steals per game. also ranks third in the conference with 1.88 steals per game.
MORE OF MORALES, PLEASE was a captain in stature if not in name last season when she led the Vikings in scoring as a freshman. Now also a captain in name, Morales has continued to play like one as she proved against Weber State on Jan. 19 with her game-winning three-pointer in the final seconds. Morales has twice scored a season-high 28 points within Big Sky play, while she scored 14 of her team-high 18 points in the second half against Weber State. Overall, Morales is averaging 16.1 points per game this season, ranking her fifth in the Big Sky. Morales ranks in the top 15 of the Big Sky in seven different statistical categories, including scoring, and she leads the conference in four of those seven. Morales leads the conference in steals per game (2.37), three-point field goal percentage (.466), three-pointers made per game (2.84) and minutes played per game (36.5). Her three-point field goal percentage also ranks her sixth in the NCAA, while it stands just off the current single-season record of 47.0 percent that P.J. Hall set during the 1993-94 season. Additionally, Morales ranks 20th nationally in minutes played and 23rd in three-pointers made per game. Outside of those categories, Morales ranks fourth in the Big Sky in field goal percentage (.461) and 10th in assists per game (2.84).
JADA CAN KNOCK DOWN THE J's, DUH Head coach said has ice in her veins after she hit four three-pointers in the fourth quarter to lead the Vikings past Fresno State on Dec. 1. But Lewis' heroics against the Bulldogs were just the latest example. She also came up big late in the Vikings' game against Seattle U on Nov. 17, converting a four-point play with 23.9 seconds left to force overtime. Last weekend marked a return to that form for Lewis, as she set conference season highs for three-point makes in both games. She opened the weekend with three against Montana State last Thursday, then followed with four against Montana Saturday. Lewis went 7-of-16 (.438) from three-point range between both games. That's a significant jump from her mark through the team's first seven conference games, as she started Big Sky play just 7-of-35 (.200) combined from three-point range. Lewis enters this weekend fifth in the Big Sky in three-pointers made per game (2.42) and sixth in percentage (.357). Her three-point shooting means Lewis is averaging a career-best 11.2 points per game this season, surpassing the 10.0 she averaged last season. Additionally, from a career perspective, Lewis has moved up the three-point career rankings at Portland State this season. She passed Sidney Rielly (2016-19) for sixth in career three-pointers during the win over Fresno State. She now has 172 career makes from three-point range, and needs 12 more to pass Karrin Wilson (1996-2000) for fifth all time.
ROOTING FOR LAY IS A LAY UP – nicknamed Lay – had a career game against Idaho State on Jan. 21. With her sister and her sister's boyfriend singing the national anthem before the game, Fitzgerald scored a career-high 24 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field and 4-of-6 from three-point range. Fitzgerald's 24 points accounted for half of the Vikings' total in the game (48), while her four three-pointers also marked a new career high. For the season, Fitzgerald ranks sixth in the Big Sky in free throw percentage (.848) and 12th in assists per game (2.53).
TALKIN' SHIP Head coach has started a series in which she interviews one of her players weekly as they walk around Viking Pavilion. Previous episodes have featured the following players on the following topics: YOUTHFUL ROSTER A season after the Vikings started three freshmen in all but one game, the Vikings will again have a youth-heavy roster this season. Ten of the team's 15 players enter the year as underclassmen between three freshmen and seven sophomores (including redshirts). Last year's freshmen – , , and – got plenty of experience last season, but they'll still only be sophomores. Sophomore transfers Sofía Llanos and will join them as underclassmen this season, while also returns as a redshirt sophomore after sitting all of last season with an ankle injury. Additionally, the Vikings brought in three freshmen in , and , all of whom could see time for the Vikings this season.
PRESEASON PREDICTIONS Last season's struggles shaped the preseason expectations for the Vikings among Big Sky coaches and media members. The Vikings were picked to finish last in the conference by both groups, while last year's tournament champion Montana State was picked to finish first in both polls. The Vikings returned five of their top six scorers from a year ago, however, between (12.5 points per game), (10.0 ppg), (9.3 ppg), (6.0 ppg) and (5.2 ppg). This year's roster also features a full 15 players, including six newcomers between three freshmen – , and – and three transfers – Sofía Llanos (from Marshall), (from Northeastern) and (from Centralia/William Jessup).
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS Jan. 21, 2023, Portland State 48, Idaho State 47: The Vikings beat Idaho State at home for the first time since 2011, and just the second time in their past 24 games against the Bengals across all venues. hit back-to-back three-pointers to give the Vikings the lead for good with 1:53 remaining. The Vikings held the Bengals scoreless over the final 3:33 of game time.
Jan. 19, 2023, Portland State 65, Weber State 64: hit a game-winning three-pointer with 1.9 seconds remaining, delivering the Vikings their third win in their past four games. The Vikings trailed 58-52 with 4:46 left in regulation after an extended 23-5 run for the Wildcats but reversed the momentum late.
Jan. 12, 2023, Portland State 78, Northern Arizona 66: A 30-point third quarter – the team's highest scoring quarter this season – led the Vikings to their second straight conference win. The Vikings shot a season-high 51.8 percent from the floor, while their 78 points were their most in a regulation game against a Division I opponent this season.
Jan. 7, 2023, Portland State 53, Idaho 43: The Vikings recorded their first conference win since March 5, 2021, while beating the Vandals. They held the Vandals to 28.6 percent shooting from the field (16-of-56), the lowest mark by a conference opponent against the Vikings since Montana shot 28.0 percent (21-of-75) on Jan. 13, 2020. Additionally, the 43 points Idaho scored were their lowest ever against the Vikings, and the lowest by any Big Sky opponent since Weber State scored 38 points on Jan. 31, 2019.
Jan. 5, 2023, Eastern Washington 65, Portland State 56: scored 20 of the Vikings' first 29 points in the game on her way to a season-high 28 points on 11-of-17 shooting overall and 5-of-8 from three-point range.
Dec. 20, 2022, Portland State 83, Evergreen 45: The Vikings set season highs for points (83), rebounds (41), rebounding margin (+13, assists (23 on 27 field goals) and three-pointers (13) in their win over Evergreen. made her return from injury in the game, playing for the Vikings for the first time in 651 days.
Dec. 1, 2022, Portland State 62, Fresno State 60: hit four three-pointers in the fourth quarter after Fresno State took its only lead of the game. Lewis and both hit five three-pointers in the game while matching each other with 19 points to lead the way.
Nov. 26, 2022, Portland State 73, Utah Valley 55: The Vikings avenged a 19-point loss to Utah Valley last season with an 18-point win over the Wolverines on the same weekend of the calendar, Thanksgiving Saturday. went a perfect 5-of-5 from three-point range, while she and teammate combined to go 9-of-13 from deep.
Nov. 17, 2022, Portland State 80, Seattle U 73: The Vikings erased a five-point deficit with 38 seconds remaining thanks in part of a four-point play by that tied the game with 25 seconds remaining. It was the Vikings' first road win since the end of the 2020-21 regular season, and their first overtime win since Jan. 7, 2021.
Nov. 7, 2022, Portland State 67, Warner Pacific 40: The Vikings recorded 22 steals for their most steals in a single game since Dec. 20, 2006. They also assisted on their first 19 field goals in the game, while finishing with 20 assists on 22 field goals.
The first half of the Big Sky Conference schedule closed Saturday for the Portland State women's basketball team with its game at Montana. Nine games in, the Vikings sit 4-5 in Big Sky play and in sixth place – a half-game ahead of Idaho, their opponent Thursday (6 p.m. tip.)It's fitting that the Vikings kick off the second half of the Big Sky schedule against the Vandals. Potential seeding for the Big Sky tournament always steps into focus during the latter part of the regular season.The six/seven line is of particular importance this year. The seventh seed has to play on the opening day of the tournament – Saturday, March 4 – against the eighth seed. If they win, then they'll play the second seed the next day. Meanwhile, the sixth seed doesn't have to play until Monday, March 6 – two days after the seventh seed plays – and receives a buy in the quarterfinals.A win over Idaho Thursday would not only strengthen the Vikings' position in the standings, it'd also give them the season sweep over the Vandals, which could be an important tiebreaker at the end of the season.The Vikings beat Idaho once already this season, as they topped the Vandals 53-43 at Viking Pavilion on Jan. 7. The 43 points Idaho scored were the fewest a Big Sky opponent has scored against the Vikings since Weber State totaled 38 points on Jan. 31, 2019. Additionally, the Vandals shot just 28.6 percent against the Vikings while making a season-low three three-pointers in the game.That game served as a sliding doors moment for both teams in that they went in opposite directions afterwards. For the Vikings, the win marked their first conference win since 2021 while kicking off a run of four wins in five games. For the Vandals, the loss marked their second of what would become a six-game losing streak.The Vandals snapped out of their losing streak last weekend, as they swept Weber State and Idaho State on the road. They initially broke out of their slump with a 66-52 win at Weber State last Thursday, then followed with a 68-61 win over Idaho State Saturday.Despite all their recent struggles, the Vandals still represent one of the most dangerous three-point shooting teams, both within the Big Sky Conference and nationally. They enter Thursday third in the NCAA with 29.1 three-point attempts per game, while they also rank seventh with 9.4 three-pointers made per game.So, their three makes against the Vikings represented an anomaly. Not only did it mark a season low, it was half their next-lowest total this season. Against Weber State and Idaho State this past weekend, the Vandals hit 12 three-pointers in each game.So, the Vikings know stopping the Vandals' three-point shooting will be key again Thursday, as will be limiting the damage from Idaho's Beyonce Bea. She enters Thursday ranked second in the Big Sky and 12th nationally with 21.2 points per game. She also stands fourth in the Big Sky with 8.4 rebounds per game, and has eight double-doubles already this season.Bea scored 23 of the Vandals' 43 points last time against the Vikings, but that left the rest of the Vandals with only 20.had her best game of the season while going against Bea in the post. She tied her career high with 13 rebounds in the game while adding eight points and two steals.Ogele led a strong effort on the glass for the Vikings as a team. The Vikings out-rebounded the Vandals 43-to-39, no easy feat against a team that ranks second in the Big Sky and 52nd nationally with 27.9 defensive rebounds per game.The Vikings also took care of the ball well against the Vandals, a necessity given that the Vandals rank second in the Big Sky and 17th in the NCAA with only 12.8 turnovers given up per game.Of course, the familiarity between the two teams makes the keys to the game obvious. That's the nature of facing a team again during the second half of a conference schedule. And with that comes a focus on seeding, which will be top of mind Thursday.Thursday, Feb. 2, 6 p.m. PT, Moscow, Idaho (ICCU Arena)The Idaho Vandals swept their trip to Weber State and Idaho State last weekend, snapping a six-game losing streak for the Vandals within Big Sky play. The Vandals initially broke out of their slump with a 66-52 road win at Weber State on Jan. 26, then followed with a 68-61 win over Idaho State on Jan. 28. The Vandals remain one of the most prolific three-point shooting teams – both within the Big Sky Conference and the NCAA – despite their struggles. The Vandals lead the Big Sky and rank third nationally with 29.1 three-point attempts per game. They also top the conference and rank seventh nationally with 9.4 three-point makes per game. Sydney Gandy and Tiana Johnson lead the Vandals' efforts from the outside, as they stand second and ninth in the Big Sky, respectively, with 2.62 and 2.00 three-pointers made per game. The Vandals' biggest offensive weapon, however, remains two-time All-Big Sky first-team selection Beyonce Bea. Bea scored 23 of the Vandals' 43 points against the Vikings in the teams' last game against each other earlier this season. She enters Thursday second in the Big Sky and 12th nationally with 21.2 points per game. She also ranks fourth in the conference and 68th nationally with 8.4 rebounds per game and has eight double-doubles already this season. The other aspects of the Vandals' game that have been solid so far this season are their ball handling and their defensive rebounding. On the ball, the Vandals are only giving up 12.8 turnovers per game, an average that ranks them second in the Big Sky and 17th nationally. They also rank second in the Big Sky with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.07. Gandy and Rosa Smith has led the Vandals in that area, as they rank fifth and eighth, respectively, with assist-to-turnover ratios of 1.63 and 1.19. On the glass, the Vandals rank second in the Big Sky and 52nd nationally with 27.9 defensive rebounds per game. Bea leads the team with 6.29 defensive rebounds per game, ranking her fourth in the conference individually.The Vandals lead the all-time series between them and the Vikings, 33-15. The Vikings snapped a seven-game losing streak to the Vandals with a 53-43 win at Viking Pavilion back on Jan. 7. The Vandals had won 17 of their previous 19 games against the Vikings before their meeting earlier this season.The floodgates opened for the Vikings after their breakthrough win over Idaho on Jan. 7. After losing 22 conference games in a row, including all 20 last season, the Vikings won four of five conference games in the middle of January, including the program's first 2-0 conference weekend since Feb. 2021. The Vikings swept Weber State and Idaho State for the 2-0 weekend, beating both teams by a single point. The Vikings topped the Wildcats 65-64 on Jan. 19 on a go-ahead three-pointer fromwith 1.9 seconds remaining. They followed with a 48-47 win over Idaho State on Jan. 21, holding the Bengals scoreless over the final 3:33 of game time. What's more, the Vikings' wins over Idaho State and Idaho gave them victories over two teams that have tormented the Vikings in the past. The initial breakthrough win against Idaho marked just the third time the Vikings had beaten the Vandals in their past 20 games against each other. The win over the Bengals, meanwhile, was just the Vikings' second in their past 24 games against them.A season after the Vikings ranked last in the Big Sky and 322nd in the NCAA for scoring defense, it's been almost a 180-degree turn for the Vikings' defense this season. The Vikings held Idaho to just 43 points in their win on Jan. 7, the fewest points a conference opponent has scored against the Vikings since Weber State totaled 38 points on Jan. 31, 2019. Idaho State didn't score that much more in their game against the Vikings on Jan. 21, as the Vikings held them to just 47 points. Idaho State and Idaho are two of seven opponents this season that the Vikings have held to under 60 points in a game. Northern Arizona scored more than 60 points against the Vikings on Jan. 12, but the Vikings still held the Lumberjacks – the Big Sky's top offense, averaging more than 78 points per game at the time – to 12 points below their average in a 78-66 win. While Montana scored a season-high 88 points last Saturday, the Vikings still rank third in the Big Sky and 112th nationally while allowing 61.5 points per game. Montana was just the fifth team to score more than 70 points against the Vikings this season, and one of the other four teams (Seattle U on Nov. 17) only did so because the game went to overtime.put a punctuation mark on a standout season for her from beyond the three-point line when she hit a game-winning three with 1.9 seconds remaining to beat Weber State on Jan. 19. Morales hardly needed a punctuation mark since she's leading the Big Sky in both three-pointers made per game and percentage, but it gave her one anyways. In addition to leading the conference, Morales ranks in the top 25 nationally in both makes and percentage. She stands 23rd nationally with 2.84 three-pointers made per game, while she ranks sixth in percentage at 46.6 percent. Her 46.6-percent mark is just off the current single-season school record of 47.0 percent that P.J. Hall set during the 1993-94 season., meanwhile, broke out of a slump to start Big Sky play with a strong weekend in Montana. Lewis set conference season highs for three-point makes in both games, opening with three triples against Montana State last Thursday, then following with four makes against Montana Saturday. Lewis now ranks fifth in the Big Sky and 73rd nationally with 2.42 three-pointers made per game. She also ranks sixth in the conference while shooting 35.7 percent from deep. Together, Morales and Lewis account for 100 of the Vikings' 135 three-point makes this season., who hit a career-high four three-pointers against Idaho State on Jan. 21, ranks third on the team with 17 makes this season. As a team, the Vikings rank second in the Big Sky and 42nd in the NCAA with a three-point field goal percentage of .350. They rank fifth in the Big Sky with 7.11 three-pointers made per game.Gen Z knows how to swipe. Not just on their phones it turns out, as the Vikings have proven so far this season. The Vikings opened the year with 22 steals against Warner Pacific on Nov. 7, the program's most steals in a single game since they also had 22 in a win over Idaho on Dec. 20, 2006. They recorded 12 steals against Weber State on Jan. 19, asandall had at least three steals. As a team, the Vikings have posted 10+ steals in eight of their 19 games this season, and had nine steals in two other games. The Vikings now rank third in the Big Sky and 76th in the NCAA with 9.21 steals per game. Individually,leads the Big Sky while ranking 53rd nationally with 2.37 steals per game.also ranks third in the conference with 1.88 steals per game.was a captain in stature if not in name last season when she led the Vikings in scoring as a freshman. Now also a captain in name, Morales has continued to play like one as she proved against Weber State on Jan. 19 with her game-winning three-pointer in the final seconds. Morales has twice scored a season-high 28 points within Big Sky play, while she scored 14 of her team-high 18 points in the second half against Weber State. Overall, Morales is averaging 16.1 points per game this season, ranking her fifth in the Big Sky. Morales ranks in the top 15 of the Big Sky in seven different statistical categories, including scoring, and she leads the conference in four of those seven. Morales leads the conference in steals per game (2.37), three-point field goal percentage (.466), three-pointers made per game (2.84) and minutes played per game (36.5). Her three-point field goal percentage also ranks her sixth in the NCAA, while it stands just off the current single-season record of 47.0 percent that P.J. Hall set during the 1993-94 season. Additionally, Morales ranks 20th nationally in minutes played and 23rd in three-pointers made per game. Outside of those categories, Morales ranks fourth in the Big Sky in field goal percentage (.461) and 10th in assists per game (2.84).Head coachsaidhas ice in her veins after she hit four three-pointers in the fourth quarter to lead the Vikings past Fresno State on Dec. 1. But Lewis' heroics against the Bulldogs were just the latest example. She also came up big late in the Vikings' game against Seattle U on Nov. 17, converting a four-point play with 23.9 seconds left to force overtime. Last weekend marked a return to that form for Lewis, as she set conference season highs for three-point makes in both games. She opened the weekend with three against Montana State last Thursday, then followed with four against Montana Saturday. Lewis went 7-of-16 (.438) from three-point range between both games. That's a significant jump from her mark through the team's first seven conference games, as she started Big Sky play just 7-of-35 (.200) combined from three-point range. Lewis enters this weekend fifth in the Big Sky in three-pointers made per game (2.42) and sixth in percentage (.357). Her three-point shooting means Lewis is averaging a career-best 11.2 points per game this season, surpassing the 10.0 she averaged last season. Additionally, from a career perspective, Lewis has moved up the three-point career rankings at Portland State this season. She passed Sidney Rielly (2016-19) for sixth in career three-pointers during the win over Fresno State. She now has 172 career makes from three-point range, and needs 12 more to pass Karrin Wilson (1996-2000) for fifth all time.– nicknamed Lay – had a career game against Idaho State on Jan. 21. With her sister and her sister's boyfriend singing the national anthem before the game, Fitzgerald scored a career-high 24 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field and 4-of-6 from three-point range. Fitzgerald's 24 points accounted for half of the Vikings' total in the game (48), while her four three-pointers also marked a new career high. For the season, Fitzgerald ranks sixth in the Big Sky in free throw percentage (.848) and 12th in assists per game (2.53).Head coachhas started a series in which she interviews one of her players weekly as they walk around Viking Pavilion. Previous episodes have featured the following players on the following topics:A season after the Vikings started three freshmen in all but one game, the Vikings will again have a youth-heavy roster this season. Ten of the team's 15 players enter the year as underclassmen between three freshmen and seven sophomores (including redshirts). Last year's freshmen –and– got plenty of experience last season, but they'll still only be sophomores. Sophomore transfers Sofía Llanos andwill join them as underclassmen this season, whilealso returns as a redshirt sophomore after sitting all of last season with an ankle injury. Additionally, the Vikings brought in three freshmen inand, all of whom could see time for the Vikings this season.Last season's struggles shaped the preseason expectations for the Vikings among Big Sky coaches and media members. The Vikings were picked to finish last in the conference by both groups, while last year's tournament champion Montana State was picked to finish first in both polls. The Vikings returned five of their top six scorers from a year ago, however, between(12.5 points per game),(10.0 ppg),(9.3 ppg),(6.0 ppg) and(5.2 ppg). This year's roster also features a full 15 players, including six newcomers between three freshmen –and– and three transfers – Sofía Llanos (from Marshall),(from Northeastern) and(from Centralia/William Jessup).The Vikings beat Idaho State at home for the first time since 2011, and just the second time in their past 24 games against the Bengals across all venues.hit back-to-back three-pointers to give the Vikings the lead for good with 1:53 remaining. The Vikings held the Bengals scoreless over the final 3:33 of game time.hit a game-winning three-pointer with 1.9 seconds remaining, delivering the Vikings their third win in their past four games. The Vikings trailed 58-52 with 4:46 left in regulation after an extended 23-5 run for the Wildcats but reversed the momentum late.A 30-point third quarter – the team's highest scoring quarter this season – led the Vikings to their second straight conference win. The Vikings shot a season-high 51.8 percent from the floor, while their 78 points were their most in a regulation game against a Division I opponent this season.The Vikings recorded their first conference win since March 5, 2021, while beating the Vandals. They held the Vandals to 28.6 percent shooting from the field (16-of-56), the lowest mark by a conference opponent against the Vikings since Montana shot 28.0 percent (21-of-75) on Jan. 13, 2020. Additionally, the 43 points Idaho scored were their lowest ever against the Vikings, and the lowest by any Big Sky opponent since Weber State scored 38 points on Jan. 31, 2019.scored 20 of the Vikings' first 29 points in the game on her way to a season-high 28 points on 11-of-17 shooting overall and 5-of-8 from three-point range.The Vikings set season highs for points (83), rebounds (41), rebounding margin (+13, assists (23 on 27 field goals) and three-pointers (13) in their win over Evergreen.made her return from injury in the game, playing for the Vikings for the first time in 651 days.hit four three-pointers in the fourth quarter after Fresno State took its only lead of the game. Lewis andboth hit five three-pointers in the game while matching each other with 19 points to lead the way.The Vikings avenged a 19-point loss to Utah Valley last season with an 18-point win over the Wolverines on the same weekend of the calendar, Thanksgiving Saturday.went a perfect 5-of-5 from three-point range, while she and teammatecombined to go 9-of-13 from deep.The Vikings erased a five-point deficit with 38 seconds remaining thanks in part of a four-point play bythat tied the game with 25 seconds remaining. It was the Vikings' first road win since the end of the 2020-21 regular season, and their first overtime win since Jan. 7, 2021.The Vikings recorded 22 steals for their most steals in a single game since Dec. 20, 2006. They also assisted on their first 19 field goals in the game, while finishing with 20 assists on 22 field goals.