Complete notes and stats in pdf

Portland State hosts Cal State Fullerton this Sunday in a non-conference game at the Stott Center, hoping to extend a five-game home winning streak. Game time is 2:05 p.m. with the contest airing on Freedom 970 AM and www.970.am.
   
PSU (5-2) comes off a 92-58 home victory over Division III George Fox on Thursday. It was the Vikings' third home win this year and fifth in a row dating to last season. Charles Odum had a career-high 20 points and six rebounds as the Vikings routed the Bruins. Chehales Tapscott (18 pts, 12 reb) and Nate Lozeau (16 pts, 10 reb) each had double-doubles. With five non-conference wins this season, PSU has already matched last year's total for out-of-league victories (5-9).
   
Cal State Fullerton comes off a 73-62 loss at Arizona on Wednesday. The Titans are 3-6 on the season, including losses to Big Sky schools Montana and Montana State.
   
It will be the first meeting between Portland State and Cal State Fullerton in two seasons. CSF leads the all-time series, 4-2, but PSU won the last meeting on Nov. 23, 2008, 76-75, at the Stott Center.

COMING UP: VIKINGS TRAVEL TO MEET RUNNERS ON WEDNESDAY
Portland State will go on the road for a Wednesday game at Cal State Bakersfield. It will be the first-ever meeting between the schools when they tip it off at Rabobank Arena at 7 p.m. The Roadrunners are in their fifth season as an NCAA Division I independent and are off to their best start at 5-4.

On Saturday, the Vikings host crosstown rival University of Portland in a 7:05 p.m. game at the Peter W. Stott Center. PSU will try to extend a four-game winning streak over the Pilots that includes an 86-82 win last year at the Chiles Center when UP was ranked 25th in the nation.

The game will air on Freedom 970's sister station, 750 AM KXL and www.kxl.com. The move to KXL for one game is to provide a stronger signal for the intra-city rivalry game between the Pilots and the Vikings. All other Viking basketball games will air on Freedom 970 AM and www.970.am.

PORTLAND STATE VIKINGS (5-2) vs. CAL STATE FULLERTON (3-6)
Sunday, December 12, 2010, 2:05 p.m. @ Peter W. Stott Center (1,500), Portland, OR
Television: None
Radio: Freedom 970 AM, www.970.am • Play-by-play: Tom Hewitt • Pregame Show: 1:30 p.m.
Live Video Stream: www.b2tv.com
Live Stats: www.GoViks.com
All-Time Series: CSF leads 4-2 • PSU in Portland: 2-1
Streak: Portland State has won five straight home games dating to last season.

STORYLINES
• The series: Portland State and Cal State Fullerton have met six times over the past 33 years, with the Titans holding a 4-2 edge in the series... the most recent meeting was a 76-75 Viking win over the Titans on Nov. 23, 2008 at the Stott Center. PSU is 2-1 in games in Portland.
• Vikings vs. the Big West: Portland State is 20-26 all-time against teams in the Big West Conference. PSU is 1-0 this year with a 69-58 win over UC Riverside on Nov. 20... Viking Head Coach Tyler Geving is 2-0 vs. The Big West with wins over UC Riverside and Cal Poly (last year).
• The Titans: Cal State Fullerton was 16-15 last year, going 8-8 and tieing for third in the Big West Conference. One starter and four letterwinners return from that team. The Titans won their last Big West title in 2007-08 advancing to the NCAA Tournament.
• Road Warriors: The Titans will be playing their eighth road game in 10 starts when they face the Vikings. CSF is 3-6 on the season following a 73-62 loss at Arizona on Wednesday. The Titans are 0-2 against the Big Sky this year with losses to Montana State (80-76) and Montana (75-67). Wins have come over San Diego (twice) and Cal State Bakersfield... SR G Devon Peltier averages a team-best 16.0 points and has made 20 three-point field goals this year... JR F Orane Chin leads the team with 6.1 rebounds while averaging 15.3 points... SR F Jer'Vaughn Johnson averages 13.6 points and 5.6 rebounds while shooting .521 from the field.
• Head Coach Bob Burton: Now in his eighth season at Cal State Fullerton, Burton has a record of 126-98. He is 1-1 all-time against the Vikings.

VIKING HEAD COACH TYLER GEVING
Tyler Geving is in his second season as Head Coach and sixth season overall with the Portland State program. Geving has an 18-21 record with the Vikings. He was 13-19 in 2009-10 and led PSU to the Big Sky Tournament semifinals. Geving is a 1996 graduate of Central Washington and has been in collegiate coaching for 16 years.
   
Geving will face Cal State Fullerton for the first time. He is 10-11 all-time in non-conference games, including 2-0 against Big West Conference schools.
   
The second-year Head Coach is assisted by Andy McClouskey (1st year, Oregon State, 1982), Eric Harper (6th year, Central Washington, 1995) and Anthony Owens (2nd year, Great Falls, 2006). Former Viking player Mickey Polis is the Director of Operations (2nd year, Portland State, 2009).

VIKINGS REWIND: PORTLAND STATE 92, GEORGE FOX 58
Portland State took care of some necessary business on Thursday night, dispatching Division III George Fox at the Stott Center by a score of 92-58. The win was expected and extended the Vikings home-court winning streak to five games... the Vikings jumped to a 17-4 lead in the opening five minutes. But the Bruins hung in, eventually tying the score at 21-21 in their own 17-4 rally... Chris Harriel got hot for PSU and the Vikings broke it open through the latter part of the first half. Harriel scored 10 of his 15 first-half points in a 28-7 run to close out the half. PSU led 49-28 at the break behind .526 field goal shooting... George Fox never got closer than 15 in the second half... the Vikings who shot .507 from the field for the game. PSU held the Bruins to just .333 shooting and outrebounded them 54-28... Charles Odum had a career-high 20 points to lead the Vikings. He made 6-11 from the field and 7-10 at the line. Odum grabbed six rebounds and handed out three assists... Chehales Tapscott had his third double-double of the year with 18 points and 12 rebounds in 25 minutes of play. He hit 7-10 field goals and blocked three shots... Nate Lozeau also had double-double posting career-highs of 16 points and 10 rebounds... Dane Johnson had a career-high seven assists in the first half and finished with nine in the game.

FAST BREAKS
WINNING LINES 
• PSU is 3-0 at home this year... the Vikings have won five straight home games dating to last season.
• The Vikings are 2-2 on the road this season, including 2-0 in neutral site games... PSU was 5-15 in road games in 2009-10, including 2-6 in Big Sky road games.
• Since the start of the 2007-08 season, Portland State is 36-6 at home, including 22-4 in Big Sky Conference games.
• PSU has gone 104-33 in 137 games at the Stott Center since the 1996-97 season. Including home games at Memorial Coliseum (12-6) and the Rose Garden (19-9), the Vikings are 135-48 at home over the past 15 seasons.
• PSU is 32-16 in Big Sky games since the start of the 2007-08 season, 37-17 including tournament games.

NON-CONFERENCE SUCCESS: Through seven games, Portland State has built a 5-2 record. The five wins already matches last year's total for non-conference wins (5-9)... the most non-conference wins for Portland State since joining the Big Sky Conference is 10 (10-5 in 2008-09). PSU has seven non-conference games remaining this season.

CAREER NIGHT: Three Vikings had career efforts in the win over George Fox.  JR G Dane Johnson had a career-high seven assists by halftime and finished with nine overall, as well as career-highs of four rebounds and 34 minutes played... JR G Charles Odum had career-highs of 20 points and six rebounds... JR C Nate Lozeau had career-highs of 16 points and 10 rebounds.

DEFENSE GETS BETTER: Portland State has been an improved defensive team this season, and that is an area Head Coach Tyler Geving targeted early on in a need to get more wins. So far, Viking opponents have shot .446 from the field while averaging 72.6 points. Last year, opponents shot .485 and averaged 79.2 points. Opponents are averaging one more turnover per game and shooting five less free throws per game... the Vikings have already held two opponents under 60 points after doing so only once last year.

FREE IS A GOOD PRICE: It's early in the season, but the Vikings are making frequent trips to the free throw line thanks in part to the slashing styles of SO G Chris Harriel, JR F Chehales Tapscott, JR G Charles Odum, and the physical play of SR F Tree Thomas. The Vikings have shot 174 free throws, making 133, an average of 19.0-24.9 shooting per game for a .764 mark (last year PSU averaged 14.4-20.1, .717)... meanwhile opponents have attempted fewer FTs than the Vikings have made (75-113), an average of 10.7-16.1 per game for a .664 mark.

THE RANKING: Portland State is 11th in the nation in free throw percentage through last Sunday's game at .779 as a team (now .764)... SO G Chris Harriel ranks 34th in the nation at the line with a .900 mark (27-30).

SHOOTING GOES SOUTH: The Vikings began last week leading the league in shooting with a .481 mark from the field. Two games later, PSU was shooting just .436 and ranked seventh in the league. PSU shot only 26-64 (.406) in a win over Seattle last Wednesday. Then, a paltry 16-52 (.296) at Oregon on Sunday. The combined mark for the week was only 42-116 (.362)... Portland State improved in its win over George Fox, hitting 36-71 (.507) and now shoots .448 this season.

MISSING THE THREE: The Vikings are averaging 6.0 three-point field goals per game and shooting .339 from distance this season. The marks are down from recent years when PSU was regularly among the top long-range shooting teams in the Big Sky Conference. The 6.0 made per game is the lowest rate since 2004-05 and the .339 mark is the lowest since 2006-07. In fact, the Vikings led the Big Sky in three pointers in 2007-08 and 2008-09... PSU was just 8-34 from long range in two games last week (.235)... a big part of what is missing is SR F Phil Nelson, who has yet to play this year due to a foot injury. Nelson averaged 2.4 three-pointers per game last year while shooting .387 from the arc.

AND THEN THERE WERE NINE...: Portland State has dressed just nine healthy players for the last three games. JR G Terry Coleman has not suited up due to a lower left leg injury. His status for Sunday is doubtful. Without Coleman, the Vikings are thin at point guard, needing SR G Melvin Jones to handle a lot of the duty... SR F Phil Nelson remains out with a left foot injury. He will be gone until at least the start of conference play.

KEEPING UP WITH MELVIN JONES: With the loss of SR F Phil Nelson for the time being, the play and leadership of SR G Melvin Jones has become even more important for the Vikings. Jones has answered the call, averaging 13.0 points per game, 2.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists. He also has a team-high 18 three-point field goals and is shooting .864 at the line.
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
• Melvin is averaging 17.3 points in three home games.
• He has seven 20-point games in his career, two this season.
BIG GAMES
• Melvin had a game-high 23 points, hitting 6-11 FGs, 5-9 3-pt FGs, 6-6 FTs, in a win over Pepperdine (11/12). He added five assists and two rebounds... Jones had 18 points, six assists and five rebounds in a win over Lamar (11/20)... scored 23 points (7-14, 4-10, 5-6) in a win over Seattle (12/1).

CHRIS-TMAS COMES EARLY: The play of SO G Chris Harriel has been an early Christmas present for Vikings Head Coach Tyler Geving. While the coach knew his talented sophomore was much improved, he probably didn't count on quite this much production. In seven games, Harriel has already set two new career scoring highs (now 23) and two new career rebounding highs (now 9). Harriel leads the Vikings with 14.9 points per game while averaging 5.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.6 steals.
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
• Harriel was named All-Tournament at the SMU Invitational after averaging 15.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, shooting 13-26 from the field, 7-13 from three-point range and 13-15 at the line. He also had six assists and five steals.
• Harriel ranks 34th in the nation with a .900 free throw percentage.
BIG GAMES
• Harriel scored 16 points, grabbed six rebounds and made two steals in the season-opening win over Pepperdine (11/12)... posted a career-high 23 points, seven rebounds, three steals and two assists in a victory over Lamar (11/20)... had 18 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals in beating UC Riverside (11/21)... had 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals in a win over Seattle (12/1)... had 12 points, a career-high nine rebounds and four assists at Oregon (12/5).

GREAT TAP-SCOTT!: JR F Chehales Tapscott has been as big an impact player as Head Coach Tyler Geving expected through seven games. The former NWAACC Player of the Year from Clackamas CC is averaging 11.9 points, a team-high 7.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
• Chehales leads the Vikings and the Big Sky Conference with three double-doubles.
• The junior forward ranks second in the Big Sky in rebounding (7.9) and has led the team five times.
• Tapscott was named All-Tournament at SMU with 31 points, 21 rebounds and seven assists in three games.
BIG GAMES
• Tapscott had 19 points, 13 rebounds and four assists in the Vikings' win over Lamar (11/20)... posted 12 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals in a win over Seattle (12/1)... had 18 rebounds (7-10 FG, 4-6 FT), 12 rebounds and three blocked shots in the win over George Fox (12/9).

MINI-MICROWAVE: JR G Charles Odum is reminiscent of former Detroit Pistons star Vinnie Johnson (aka The Microwave) in both game and physique. In fact, in a role as the Vikings' sixth man, Odum definitely heats up quickly. As a result, the 6-foot, 205-pounder averages 11.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, shooting .463 from the field and .743 at the line for the Vikings despite not having a start.
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
• Odum had 40 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in the Vikings three games at SMU, hitting 13-23 FGs, 3-8 3-pt FGs and 11-15 FTs while playing less than 25 minutes per game.
BIG GAMES
• Scored 17 points against SMU (11/19).. had 13 points, five assists and four rebounds in a win over Lamar (11/20)... had a season-high 20 points (6-11 FG, 7-10 FT), six rebounds and three assists in the win over George Fox (12/9).

LONDON CALLING: SR F Paul Guede has been a solid defender for the Vikings and efficient on the offensive end as well, averaging 5.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and shooting .440 from the floor and .833 at the line. The London, England native also hit a game-winning three-pointer with five seconds left in the Vikings' 83-81 win over Pepperdine (11/12). Guede had 10 points, two rebounds and two steals in the game.
BIG GAMES
• Had 10 points, including the game-winning three-pointer with five seconds left in an 83-81 win over Pepperdine (11/12)... scored nine points with seven rebounds and a steal in the win over Seattle (12/1).

LOZEAU=HIGH PERCENTAGE: JR C Nate Lozeau posted career-highs of 16 points and 10 rebounds in the win over George Fox. He made 7-10 shots and also had three steals... Lozeau has been a solid addition to the team this season after being a redshirt in 2009-10. Lozeau has shot .617 from the field through seven games (29-47) and is averaging 8.7 points per game.

A TREE GROWS IN PORTLAND: The other half of the post tandem for the Vikings this season has been SR F Phillip “Tree” Thomas. In just 16 minutes per game, Tree is averaging 8.0 points per game while shooting .477 from the field and .778 at the line. That is a big upgrade from last year's 3.9 points per game.

WEST COAST KILLERS: With the Vikings' 83-81 win over Pepperdine of the West Coast Conference (11/12), Portland State is now 3-1 against WCC teams in Tyler Gevings' two seasons as Head Coach. PSU is 6-1 against the WCC dating to the start of the 2007-08 season, including 3-0 vs. Portland, 2-0 vs. Pepperdine, 1-0 vs. Gonzaga and 0-1 vs. Saint Mary's. Wins over #7 Gonzaga (2008-09) and #25 Portland (2009-10) came against nationally-ranked teams... the Vikings have another chance against the WCC when they play Portland again on Dec. 18 in the Stott Center.

PHIL'S FOOT: For the second time since last January, SR F Phil Nelson has suffered a broken left foot. The loss is a big one for the Vikings, as Nelson was the top returning scorer at 12.9 points and 48 three-point field goals through 20 games last year when he suffered the injury the first time. Nelson reinjured the foot on Nov. 8. It is anticipated he can return in six to eight weeks... PSU is now 10-9 in the 19 games Nelson has missed since Jan. 30... Nelson has started all 53 games he has played in as a Viking. PSU is 31-22 in those games. The Vikings also lose much-needed size on the floor as Nelson stands 6-8.

SEASON HIGHLIGHT REEL
• SR F Paul Guede hit a game-winning three-pointer with five seconds to play as the Vikings defeated Pepperdine, 83-81, in the season opener (11/12). SR G Melvin Jones scored 23 points, while SO G Chris Harriel (16) and SR F Tree Thomas (13) each had career-highs.
• SO G Chris Harriel scored a career-high 23 points with seven rebounds, three steals and two assists in a 102-98 win over Lamar (11/20). JR F Chehales Tapscott added a double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds. SR G Melvin Jones had 18 points, six assists and five rebounds as the Vikings shot a season-high .548 from the field.
• The Vikings held UC Riverside to just 7-28 from the field in the second half as they broke away from a halftime tie and beat the Highlanders, 69-58 (11/21). SO G Chris Harriel had a game-high 18 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals.
• PSU made 21-27 second-half free throws, and 26-32 overall in an 83-76 win over Seattle (12/1). SR G Melvin Jones led four Vikings in double figures with 23 points. JR F Chehales Tapscott had 12 points and 10 rebounds, while SO G Chris Harriel added 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals.
• JR G Charles Odum had a career-high 20 points, six rebounds and three assists as the Vikings routed George Fox (12/9). JR F Chehales Tapscott (18 pts, 12 reb, 3 blk) and JR C Nate Lozeau (16 pts, 10 reb, 3 st) each had double-doubles. JR G Dane Johnson added a career-high nine assists.