CHENEY, Wash. – Senior Claire Faucher rallied the Portland State women's basketball program to its first NCAA Tournament berth Saturday afternoon with a 62-58 win. Faucher finished with 26 points, six assists and five steals. She set a Big Sky and PSU postseason record for three-point shots attempted and made 8-for-16.

The Vikings continued their weekend trend of high-pressure man and zone defenses as they caused seven Bobcat turnovers in the first 12 minutes of the contest. PSU scored eight points off turnovers in that period of time as well.

MSU had a one-woman show offensively, as Sarah Strand contributed 13 of the Bobcats 24 points in the half. Although Strand silently controlled the floor, Portland State still held the advantage at the half, 29-24.

The perimeter game was the Vikings' main mode of attack in the first stanza as they were 7-20 from behind the arc. They finished 11-30 in the game. In fact, the Vikings passed the 700 mark in three-point shots attempted this season against the Bobcats.

The halftime-break was the perfect spell for Portland State as they switched attack plans. The Vikings guards drove the inside lanes and dished to Erin Yankus, Katy Wade and Kate DePaepe in the post to ease the outside pressure and convert baskets. The Vikings built an eight-point lead with 17:24 left in the contest.

“We went outside, then inside, then back outside today,” said Head Coach Sherri Murrell, “We had a couple of nice dumps. They collapsed on us and Claire dumped it down low. We did a great job."

The Vikings continued to cause havoc in the Montana State passing lanes in the second half and caused 20 Bobcat turnovers.

Faucher claimed Big Sky Tournament MVP honors after averaging 15 points, 6.7 assists and four assists in her three tournament contests.

The Vikings will await the NCAA selection show Monday afternoon at 4 p.m., on ESPN. The Viks will host a viewing party at Buffalo Wild Wings. The party will begin at 3:15.