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SEATTLE – The Portland State women's basketball team dropped its season opener at Seattle University, 54-47, in a tale of two halves Sunday night at the Connolly Center in Seattle, Wash.
 
Portland State (0-1 overall) led 31-20 at the half but a 19-2 run by Seattle (1-1) over nearly 11 minutes in the second half allowed the Redhawks to come back and claim their first win of the season. The Vikings turned the ball over 15 times in the second half that led to 15 points off turnovers for the Redhawks that aided the long run.
 
Senior F Mikaela Rivard led the Vikings with 13 points and seven rebounds in 35 minutes. She went 6-for-13 from the floor with a three-pointer.
 
Senior F Ani Avanessian scored a career-high 11 points going 5-for-7 from the floor. She scored nine points in the first half going a perfect 4-for-4 from the floor. Avanessian added a career-high seven rebounds. Senior G Lariel Powell added 10 points for the Vikings along with seven assists and five rebounds.
 
The Vikings jumped out to an early 7-2 lead in the first. They extended their lead to eight points at 18-10 after back-to-back steal/fast break layups from Powell. The Vikings maintained an eight-point lead through much of the half before Powell hit a three-pointer with eight seconds left to give PSU the 31-20 lead at the break.
 
Portland State shot 43.3-percent in the first half compared to 30.3-percent by Seattle U. The Redhawks were 0-for-8 from three-point range in the first half and finished 0-for-11 from distance.
 
Portland State led 41-31 following a free throw from Powell with 11:59 remaining. Seattle U then went on a 19-2 run over the next 10:55 in the game to come all the way back and take the lead.
 
Despite the long scoring drought, the Vikings trailed by five points with just over a minute remaining in the game. The Redhawks were able to hit some free throws last to keep their lead and win 54-47.
 
Seattle's Wilma Afunugo scored a game-high 16 points going 7-for-8 from the floor with nine rebounds.

The Vikings return to the Peter W. Stott Center for their home opener Wednesday, Nov. 19 when they take on the South Dakota Coyotes. Tip off is slated for 7 p.m. PT.