complete notes and stats in pdf

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PORTLAND STATE VIKINGS (9-16, 5-9) vs. NORTH DAKOTA FIGHTING HAWKS (13-12, 8-6)
Thursday, February 25, 2016, 5 p.m. PT • Betty Englestad Center (3,064), Grand Forks, ND
Television: Midco Sports, Fox College Sports Central • Play-by-Play: Alex Heinert • Analyst: Greg Stemen
Live Video and Audio: www.GoViks.com
Live Stats: http://www.undsports.com/liveStats/liveStats.dbml?

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PORTLAND STATE VIKINGS (9-16, 5-9) vs. NORTHERN COLORADO BEARS (8-18, 5-9)
Saturday, February 27, 2016, 6 p.m. PT • Butler-Hancock Pavilion (2,992), Greeley, CO
Live Video and Audio: www.GoViks.com
Live Stats: http://sidearmstats.com/unco/mbball/

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THE OPENING TIP
The Portland State Vikings go on their final road trip of the regular season with renewed confidence following their best game of the season, a 107-91 win over previously red-hot Eastern Washington. Now the Vikings will try to build on that momentum as they face North Dakota on Thursday and Northern Colorado on Saturday.
     
It will be a tough two-game swing as it is the longest travel week of the year for the Vikings (9-16, 5-9). PSU faces the Fighting Hawks and the Bears for the first and only time this season. North Dakota is 13-12 on the season and sits in sixth place at 8-6 in the Big Sky Conference. Northern Colorado is 8-18 and tied with the Vikings for eighth place at 5-9 in the Big Sky. If the Big Sky Tournament began today, UNC would also be the Vikings first-round opponent in the league's 8-9 game.
     
But back to the Vikings and their recent success... Portland State put up the most points in eight seasons last Saturday, knocking off an Eagles team that had won seven straight games. PSU shot a season-best .647 from the field while making 13 steals on defense.
     
Forward Cameron Forte continued his noteworthy play, scoring 32 points on 14-20 field goals, and grabbing nine rebounds. He was one of five Vikings in double figures, including point guard Donivine Stewart, who may have played his best game of the year, with 13 points, eight assists, six rebounds, four steals and no turnovers. A jumbled lineup including key contributions from reserves Khari Holloway and Montie Leunen.
     
Now the Vikings must hope that performance is the start of something big as the season winds down and the Big Sky Tournament approaches. PSU takes a 3-10 road record to North Dakota where the Fighting Hawks have an 8-4 home record. Thursday's game tips off at 7 p.m. CT/5 p.m. PT. The game will be televised on Midco Networks and Fox College Sports Central.
     
Northern Colorado is 6-8 at home this year. The Bears have lost five straight games overall. Saturday's game starts at 7 p.m. MT/6 p.m. PT.
     
Live video, audio and stats for both games are available at www.GoViks.com.
     
The regular season wraps up with home games against Northern Arizona (3-12, Mar. 3) and Southern Utah (2-13, Mar. 5). The Big Sky Conference Tournament runs Mar. 8-12 in Reno, NV.
 
GAME NOTES: PORTLAND STATE vs. NORTH DAKOTA
• ALL-TIME SERIES: North Dakota leads the all-time series, 6-3, and the Big Sky series, 4-3. However, the Vikings swept the season series last year. PSU is 1-3 all-time in Grand Forks, 1-2 in Big Sky games.
• LAST SEASON: IN GRAND FORKS, PSU 82, UND 75: Portland State led wire-to-wire, shooting .517 for the game and out-rebounding North Dakota, 41-27. Braxton Tucker hit 10-15 shots on his way to a game-high 20 points. DaShaun Wiggins added 18 points and Tiegbe Bamba grabbed 14 rebounds for the Vikings. Quinton Hooker led North Dakota with 18 points, five assists and four steals. IN PORTLAND, PSU 80, UND 70: PSU again led wire-to-wire. The Vikings held UND to .382 shooting.  DaShaun Wiggins scored 27 points for PSU, while Tiegbe Bamba added 17 points and nine rebounds. Quinton Hooker had 17 points and six assists for North Dakota.
• COACHES: Vikings Coach Tyler Geving (93-115, 7th season) is 3-4 all-time against North Dakota. Fighting Hawks Head Coach Brian Jones (140-165, 9th season) is 4-3 all-time against Portland State.
 
NORTH DAKOTA FIGHTING HAWKS
• North Dakota is in its fourth season as a member of the Big Sky Conference. The school recently adopted the new nickname of Fighting Hawks.
• UND was 8-22 last season, but has bounced back to a 13-12 mark this year, 8-6 and sixth in the Big Sky Conference.
• The Fighting Hawks feature Quinton Hooker, one of the top guards in the Big Sky, who averages 18.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.1 steals per game. He ranks fifth in the Big Sky in scoring and second in steals.
• Freshman guard Geno Crandall averages 10.3 points, and sophomore forward Drick Bernstine is the top rebounder at 8.9 per game.
• North Dakota has had the good fortune of opponents shooting only .614 at the free throw line against it. The Fighting Hawks also force the most turnovers (14.7) and have the best turnover margin in the Big Sky (+2.1).
 
GAME NOTES: PORTLAND STATE vs. NORTHERN COLORADO
• ALL-TIME SERIES: Portland State leads the all-time series with Northern Colorado, 16-6. The Vikings have a 12-6 advantage in Big Sky Conference games. PSU is 5-4 in Big Sky games and 7-4 in all games played in Greeley.
• LAST SEASON: IN GREELEY, UNC 90, PSU 85: Northern Colorado went on a 20-4 run late in a win over the Vikings, eliminating a six-point PSU lead. The Vikings shot .528 from the field and made 12 three-pointers but UNC was just as good. Cameron Michael's 22 points led five Bears in double figures. Gary Winston and DaShaun Wiggins each scored 19 points for PSU. Winston handed off eight assists. IN PORTLAND, PSU 91, UND 75: Portland State again made 12 three-pointers against the Bears, this time pulling off the win. The Vikings shot .525 from the field, .500 from three-point range and .789 at the line. Gary Winston scored 19 points to lead five Vikings in double figures. Dominique Lee had 18 points and 11 rebounds for Northern Colorado.
• COACHES: Vikings Coach Tyler Geving (93-115, 7th season) is 6-6 all-time against Northern Colordao. Bears Head Coach BJ Hill (84-95, 6th season) is 5-5 all-time against Portland State.
 
NORTHERN COLORADO BEARS
• Northern Colorado is in its 10th year as a member of the Big Sky Conference. The Bears have won one Big Sky regular season and tournament title, making one NCAA Tournament appearance.
• UNC is 8-18 this season, 5-9 and tied for eighth with the Vikings in the Big Sky Conference. The Bears have lost five games in a row going into this week's play.
• Junior guard Anthony Johnson leads the Bears in scoring at 15.1 points per game. He has made 53 three-point field goals this season. Junior guard Jordan Wilson averages 13.5 points, 3.0 assists and has made 54 three-pointers. Junior guard Dallas Anglin averages 13.4 points.
• Northern Colorado is allowing opponents to shoot .475 from the field and score 80.7 points per game.
 
SUSTAINABLE AND RECYCLABLE VIKING QUICK NOTES
WINNING LINES
• Portland State is 9-16 this season, 6-6 at home, 3-10 on the road.
• The Vikings are 5-9 in the Big Sky Conference, 3-4 at home, 2-5 on the road.
• PSU has lost four straight games on the road.
Big Sky Battles
• Portland State is 163-174 all-time in all Big Sky Conference games, including the Big Sky Tournament (9-10).
• PSU is 108-55 in home games, 52-113 in road games and 3-7 in neutral site games.
• PSU is 76-76 in Big Sky games since the start of the 2007-08 season, 83-79 including tournament games.
 
WHO IS HOT?
• The Vikings. PSU shot a season-high .647 from the field, scoring 107 points against Eastern Washington - the most since points since Mar. 1, 2008 (108-56 over Montana).
• GR F Cameron Forte led the Vikings in every statistical category against Idaho, scoring 23 points (8-11 FG, 1-1 3-pt FG, 6-6 FT) with 16 rebounds, five assists, four steals, two blocked shots and four turnovers. He came back to score 32 points (14-20 FG) with nine rebounds in the win over Eastern Washington.
• GR F Cameron Forte has made 104-159 shots in the last 11 games (.654). Forte has five double-doubles in his last nine games.
• Donivine Stewart had his best game of the year against Eastern Washington, scoring 13 points (6-8 FG, 1-1 FT) with eight assists, six rebounds, four steals and no turnovers.
• JR G Khari Holloway was a surprise starter and JR F Montie Leunen was a surprise early sub against Eastern Washington but both had a big impact on a big Portland State win. Their numbers were modest, but they played vital roles as Coach Tyler Geving elected to go with a smaller, more defense-oriented lineup. Holloway played 30 minutes, scoring five points with three steals and two rebounds. Leunen played a career-high 17 minutes, scoring five points with two rebounds and a steal.
• PSU has shot over 60% from the field in four of 14 Big Sky Conference games.
 
WHO IS NOT?
• Portland State is shooting .320 from three-point range and .650 from the free throw line, both of which rank last in the Big Sky Conference.
• The Vikings have lost four in a row on the road.
• PSU ranks last in the Big Sky in three-point field goals made per game (5.6).
 
BIG SKY CONFERENCE LEADERS
• Portland State leads the Big Sky in assists per game (17.2).
• Portland State leads the Big Sky in steals per game (8.3).
• Portland State leads the Big Sky in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.3).
• GR G Donivine Stewart leads the Big Sky in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.0).
• SR C Collin Spickerman leads the Big Sky in blocked shots (1.9).
In Big Sky Conference games...
• Portland State leads the Big Sky in assists (17.0).
• Portland State leads the Big Sky in steals (8.6).
• Portland State leads the Big Sky in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.4)
• SR C Collin Spickerman leads the Big Sky in blocked shots in conference games (2.1).
• JR G Zach Gengler leads the Big Sky in assist-to-turnover ratio in conference games (3.8).
 
AMONG NATIONAL LEADERS (top 30):
• The Vikings rank 13th in the nation in assists per game (17.2).
• The Vikings rank 16th in the nation in steals per game (8.3).
• GR F Cameron Forte ranks 17th in the nation in offensive rebounds per game (3.72).
 
100 REASONS
• Portland State posted its third 100-point game of the season in last Saturday's 107-91 win over Eastern Washington. That marks the most 100-point games since 1977-78 (also three).
• PSU's 100 points against Eastern Washington were the most against a Division I opponent since a 108-56 win at Montana on Mar. 1, 2008.
• The 107 points were the most a PSU team has ever scored against Eastern Washington (previous 104 in 1971) in 46 all-time meetings.
• Portland State has 88 100-point games in its 54 season history. The Vikings are 82-6 in those games.
 
SHOOTING MATTERS
Portland State proved that shooting matters last Saturday, hitting 44-68 from the field (.647) in a 107-91 drubbing of Eastern Washington. PSU leads the Big Sky Conference in assists, steals, assist-to-turnover ratio and shoots a respectable .469 from the field (3rd in the Big Sky). So, why had the Vikings struggled in recent weeks? They rank last in the Big Sky in free throw shooting (.650) and three-point shooting (.320) and have made the fewest three-pointers in the league (5.6 per game). The last two seasons PSU went 17-15 and 15-14 producing similar field goal shooting numbers (.460 and .440). However, they shot far better from three-point range and the free throw line: .361/.731 and .381/.742, respectively.
 
FEATS OF FORTE
GR F Cameron Forte has had an excellent season, particularly in recent weeks. Here are a few of the feats of Forte in recent days:
• Forte scored 37 points at Eastern Washington (1/28), the most by a Viking in four seasons.
• Forte scored 20 points (7-9 FG, 6-9 FT) and hauled down 20 rebounds at Idaho (1/30). The 20 rebounds were the most by a Vikings in 20 seasons as a member of the Big Sky Conference.
• Had 32 points (14-20 FG, 4-7 FT) in a win over Eastern Washington (2/20) - his third 30-point game of the season. He averaged 34.5 points in two games against the Eagles.
• Forte had a string of five consecutive 20-10 games on the road (including a 20-20 game). He averaged 27.0 points and 13.8 rebounds in those games (Jan. 9-Feb. 11).
• Forte leads the Vikings in scoring (18.4), rebounds (9.2) and field goal percentage (.574).
• For the season, Forte has nine double-doubles, including five in the last nine games.
 
FORTISSIMO: GR F Cameron Forte has been loud and strong with his performance as a Viking. He has alternated between 6th man and starter, but still leads the Vikings in scoring (18.4) and rebounding (9.2). His 37-point performance at Eastern Washington (1/28) was the most by a Viking in four years. His 20-rebound game at Idaho (1/30) was the most ever by a Viking in 20 seasons in the Big Sky Conference.
• Forte ranks seventh in scoring, second in rebounding and fifth in field goal percentage (.574) in the Big Sky.
• Forte has 21 double-figure games, 10 20-point games and three 30-point games.
• Has nine double-doubles on the season, seven 20-10 games, and one 20-20 game.
• Posted 23 points (8-14 FG, 7-8 FT) and nine rebounds at Nevada (11/25).
• Had 31 points (15-26 FG) with 10 rebounds in a win over Multnomah (11/28).
• Scored 26 points (12-18 FG, 2-4 FT) with 11 rebounds in a win at Montana State (1/9).
• Went for 26 points (12-15 FG, 2-6 FT) with 12 rebounds in a win at Sacramento State (1/23).
• Scored a season-high 37 points (13-24 FG, 11-20 FT) with 13 rebounds at Eastern Washington (1/28).
• Recorded 20 points (7-9 FG, 6-9 FT) and hauled down 20 rebounds at Idaho (1/30).
• Registered 26 points (11-15 FG, 4-6 FT) and 13 rebounds at Idaho State (2/11).
• Scored 23 points (8-11 FG, 1-1 3-pt FG, 6-6 FT) with 16 rebounds, five assists, four steals and two blocks against Idaho (2/18).
• Scored 32 points (14-20 FG, 4-7 FT) with nine rebounds in a win over Eastern Washington (2/11).
 
FILLING THE ROLE: Whether it be as a starter or sixth man, SO F Isaiah Pineiro has filled the role admirably this season, ranking as the Vikings' second-leading scorer, rebounder and shot-blocker.
• Pineiro shoots .516 from the field, and ranks second in scoring (12.0), rebounding (5.7) and blocks (16).
• Has 15 double-figure scoring games and four 20-point games.
• Ranks ninth in the Big Sky Conference in field goal percentage and 12th in rebounding.
• Had back-to-back double-doubles on the road, getting 24 points and 14 rebounds at UTRGV (11/22) and 13 points and 11 rebounds at Nevada (11/25).
• Posted 17 points (6-9 FG, 1-3 3-pt, 4-5 FT) with five rebounds and three steals against CSUN (12/17).
• Totaled 21 points (9-14 FG, 3-3 FT) with five rebounds, three assists and a block in a win over Cal State Fullerton (12/29).
• Had 20 points (6-12 FG, 1-1 3-pt, 7-7 FT) and six rebounds at Montana (1/7).
• Scored 22 points (7-12 FG, 8-9) with three rebounds and two assists in win over Montana State (2/4).
 
DONIVINE IS DIVINE: GR G Donivine Stewart has a good handle on things. The SIUE transfer has committed only 30 turnovers all season as the Vikings' chief ball-handler. He leads the Big Sky Conference in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.0).
• As a starter, Stewart has 75 assists (4.4 per game).
• He has an 89/30 assist-to-turnover ratio (3.0) that leads the Big Sky Conference.
• Averaging 6.1 points and 3.7 assists overall.
• Scored a season-high 17 points (6-8 FG, 3-4 3-pt, 2-6 FT) with five assists and two steals in the win over Cal State Fullerton (12/29).
• Had seven assists against Weber State (1/14). Matched that against Sacramento State (1/23).
• Handed out a season-high eight assists at Eastern Washington (1/28) and eight in a win over Montana State (2/4).
• Matched his season-high with 17 points (5-8 FG, 1-3 3-pt, 6-8 FT) and five assists against Montana (2/6).
• Played his best game with 13 points (6-8 FG, 1-1 FT), eight assists, six rebounds, four steals and no turnovers in a win over Eastern Washington (2/20).
 
MR. ROBINSON'S NEIGHBORHOOD: JR G Calaen Robinson has proven to be the Vikings' top three-point shooter this season. Robinson ranks fourth on the team in scoring (10.1), first in steals (42) and three-point field goals (49), and second in assists (3.3).
• Robinson's 11 assists against Multnomah were the most by a Viking since Feb. 5, 2009.
• Robinson has 13 double-figure scoring games.
• Ranks 10th in the Big Sky Conference in assists and 12th in three-pointers made and sixth in steals (1.7).
• Scored 19 points with five rebounds at Washington State (12/6).
• Posted a career-high 21 points (7-11 3-pt FG) with four assists against CSUN (12/17).
• Had 17 points (4-9 3-pt FG) with three assists and three steals in the win over Sacramento State (1/2).
• Scored 18 points (6-11 FG, 2-3 3-pt, 4-4 FT) with three assists and three steals in a win over Eastern Washington (2/20).
 
SWAT STATS: SR C Collin Spickerman set a PSU record for blocked shots per game (2.48) last season while leading the Big Sky Conference. Spickerman has 44 blocks this season and 116 blocks in 52 career games.
• Ranks third all-time in blocks at Portland State in only two seasons.
• Spickerman leads the Big Sky in blocked shots for the season (1.9) and in Big Sky games (2.1).
• Spickerman blocked four shots and grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds in the season opener at Grand Canyon (11/13).
• Spickerman scored a career-high 15 points at SIUE (12/12).
• Posted 13 points (6-9 FG, 1-2 FT) and a season-high six blocked shots in a win over Montana State (2/4).
• Shot a perfect 6-6 from the field for 12 points with two blocks against Montana (2/6).
• He has four games of four or more blocked shots.
 
ZACH IS BACK: JR G Zach Gengler has returned to the starting lineup for the past nine games averaging 9.2 points, 3.8 assists and committing only nine turnovers.
• Gengler is averaging career-highs of 7.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 21 minutes per game.
• In Big Sky games, Gengler has a 45.12 assist-to-turnover ratio to lead the Big Sky Conference (3.75).
• Gengler is shooting .889 at the line for the season (32-36) and earlier this season had a string of 18 made in a row. He shoots .848 for his career.
• Scored a career-high 17 points with three assists against Portland (12/2).
• Posted 13 points (4-5 FG, 3-4 3-pt, 2-2) with a career-high eight assists and two steals in a win at Sacramento State (1/23).
• Had 11 points (5-9 FG, 1-4 3-pt) and seven assists in a win over Eastern Washington (2/20).
 
A DIFFERENT LOOK: Head Coach Tyler Geving started his 11th different lineup of the season at Weber State with JR G Khari Holloway going at shooting guard. 
• 10 different players have started games this season.
• No players have started every game while only four have played in every game.
• Last season the Vikings had 10 different starting lineups with 10 different players earning starts.
 
BETTER OFF THE BENCH: Portland State's top performances by players coming off the bench:
• GR F Cameron Forte had 22 points and eight rebounds in 17 minutes against Pacific Lutheran (11/6).
• The Viking bench scored 62 points and had 32 rebounds in 104 total minutes against PLU (11/16).
• SO F Isaiah Pineiro had game-highs of 24 points (11-14 FG) and 14 rebounds in 29 minutes at UTRGV (11/22).
• GR F Cameron Forte scored a game-high 23 points with nine rebounds at Nevada (11/25).
• JR F De'Sean Parson scored 14 points (6-8 FG, 2-2 FT) with three rebounds in 17 minutes against Multnomah (11/28).
• SO F Isaiah Pineiro scored 14 points (5-8 FG, 4-6 FT) with two blocks and two steals at Washington State (12/6).
• JR G Khari Holloway had a season-high 10 points (4-6 FG, 2-4 3-pt) at SIUE (12/12).
• Portland State had 48 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and six steals off the bench from three players against CSUN (12/17). JR G Calaen Robinson scored 21 points (7-11 3-pt FG) with four assists, SO F Isaiah Pineiro had 17 points (6-9 FG, 4-5 FT), five rebounds and three steals, and JR G Bryce White had 10 points, five assists, three rebounds and three steals.
• GR F Cameron Forte scored 14 points (7-11 FG) in 23 minutes against CSU Bakersfield (12/22).
• JR G Zach Gengler scored 13 points (2-3 FG, 1-2 3-pt, 8-8 FT) with three assists and two steals in 19 minutes of a win over Cal State Fullerton (12/29).
• GR F Cameron Forte had 14 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block in the win over Sacramento State (1/2).
• GR F Cameron Forte scored 26 points (12-18 FG, 2-4 FT) with 11 rebounds and a block in 29 minutes of a win over Montana State (1/9).
• GR F Cameron Forte had 18 points (9-13 FG), seven rebounds and three assists against Weber State (1/14).
• FR G Armani Collins posted season-highs of 15 points, six rebounds and two blocked shots against Idaho State (1/16).
• GR F Cameron Forte scored 26 points (12-15 FG, 2-6 FT), grabbed 12 rebounds and had four assists in a win at Sacramento State (1/23).
• GR F Cameron Forte posted 37 points (13-24 FG, 11-20 FT) with 13 rebounds at Eastern Washington (1/28).
• GR F Cameron Forte scored 20 points (7-9 FG, 6-9 FT) and grabbed 20 rebounds at Idaho (1/30).
• SO F Isaiah Pineiro had 22 points (7-12 FG, 8-9 FT), three rebounds and two assists in a win over Montana State (2/4).
• JR F De'Sean Parsons played his best game of the year with 13 points (5-6 FG, 1-1 3-pt, 2-3 FT), and season-highs of 13 rebounds and four steals in the win over Montana State (2/4).
• JR G Calaen Robinson made a rare appearance off the bench at Weber State (2/13), scoring 15 points (5-10 FG, 1-3 3-pt, 4-4 FT) with three rebounds, three assists and three steals.
• JR G Calaen Robinson scored 18 points (6-11 FG, 2-3 3-pt, 4-4 FT) with three assists and three steals in a win over Eastern Washington (2/20).