OGDEN, Utah – The Portland State women's basketball team was selected to fifth and seventh in the Big Sky Conference Coaches and Media polls respectively in the newly expanded 11-team league.
Portland State is coming off a 15-14 overall record in 2011-12 and finished seventh in conference with a 7-9 record missing the Big Sky Tournament for the first time since 2004-05.
Sixth-year head coach
Sherri Murrell returns four starters and nine letterwinners from a year ago after losing guard
Eryn Jones to graduation. Jones led the team in 3-point shooting (40% 3-PT) and assists (123) and left the Park Blocks as one of the top three-point shooters in Portland State history. She posted top five career marks in three-point makes, attempts, and percentage. She also tied the mark for career games played with 127.
Junior guard
Kate Lanz returns after leading the Vikings with 15.6 ppg and 7.3 rpg last season on her way to being named the Big Sky Conference's Top Newcomer. Lanz and fellow guards
Karley Lampman (7.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg), and
Courtney VanBrocklin (13.2 ppg, 90% FT) all started 24 games or more for the Vikings.
Junior transfer
Angela Misa, who sat out last year after transferring from Oregon State, should have an immediate impact on the Vikings this season. PSU also welcomes three freshmen in
Aleigh Krug,
Emily Easom, and
Maddie Black to this season's roster.
Idaho State was the unanimous No. 1 selection in both polls after winning the Big Sky Tournament and making their third NCAA Tournament appearance. They received 97 points and eight first place votes in the coaches' poll. The top four spots were the same in both polls with Idaho State getting the top spot followed by Northern Colorado, Montana, and Montana State.
The Vikings will begin their 2012-13 campaign with a Nov. 2 exhibition game against Warner Pacific College at 6 p.m. at the Peter W. Stott Center as the first half of a doubleheader with the PSU men's team. Portland State will then host George Fox University on Nov. 9 for its season opener, again at 6 p.m. as part of a PSU basketball doubleheader.
2012-13 Big Sky Conference Polls
(Including voting points and first-place votes)
Coaches Poll
1. Idaho State, 97 (8)
2. Northern Colorado, 88 (1)
3. Montana, 77 (2)
4. Montana State, 72
5. Portland State, 63
6. North Dakota, 53
7. Sacramento State, 50
8. Eastern Washington, 40
9. Northern Arizona, 28
10. Weber State, 17
11. Southern Utah, 13
Media Poll
1. Idaho State, 154 (8)
2. Northern Colorado, 146 (4)
3. Montana, 135 (3)
4. Montana State, 127
5. North Dakota, 95
6. Sacramento State, 83
7. Portland State, 78
8. Eastern Washington, 65
9. Northern Arizona, 53
10. Southern Utah, 26
11. Weber State, 25
