Complete notes and stats in pdf

---

#8 PORTLAND STATE VIKINGS (14-15, 7-11) vs.
#9 NORTHERN ARIZONA (9-22, 6-12)
Big Sky Conference Tournament First Round Game
Tuesday, Mar. 7, 2017, 2:35 p.m. • Reno Events Center (5,000), Reno, NV
 
Live Streaming Video and Audio: www.GoViks.com/Live • Play-by-play: Scott Garrard • Analyst: Joe Cravens
Live Stats: www.GoViks.com (click on the stats link on game day information)

---

THE OPENING TIP
Portland State (14-15, 7-11) will take part in the opening game of the Big Sky Conference Basketball Tournament for the second year in a row when it takes on Northern Arizona (9-22, 6-12) in a first-round contest. The teams meet Tuesday at 2:35 p.m. at Reno Events Center. The winner will move on to a Thursday game with the Big Sky's top seed and regular season champion, North Dakota (19-9, 14-4).
     
This is familiar territory for the Vikings. They were the number-eight seed last season as well. PSU took an opening-round win over Northern Colorado (74-67) then put a scare in eventual champion Weber State by leading with just over two minutes to play before falling, 78-74.
     
The big prize in the Big Sky Tournament is the right to represent the conference in the NCAA Tournament next week. Portland State has had that honor twice, in 2008 and 2009.
     
The Vikings and Lumberjacks will be playing the rubber match of their season series. NAU beat the Vikings, 83-76, on Jan. 16 at Northern Arizona. Then PSU came back to take an 84-72 decision in Portland on Feb. 25. It is an intriguing matchup between the league's highest-scoring team (PSU) and lowest-scoring team (NAU), second-best rebounding team (NAU, +2.1 margin) and second-worst (-3.2 margin)
 
In addition, it is the fourth meeting all-time between the teams in the Big Sky Tournament. NAU has won two of the previous three.
     
This will be the first neutral site game of the season for the Vikings, who were 10-3 at home and 4-12 on the road. Northern Arizona is 2-12 on the road and went 2-3 in neutral site games.
     
The Vikings go into the tournament having lost their last two games. That extends to five losses in seven games and nine in the last 12.
     
NAU took a season-finale win over Eastern Washington, 76-61. The Lumberjacks had lost four of five prior to that.
     
Tuesday's game, and all Viking games, will be live streamed at www.GoViks.com/Live. The entire tournament is live streamed at www.eversport.tv/big-sky. Saturday night's championship game will be televised on ESPNU at 5:30 p.m.
 
PORTLAND STATE IN THE BIG SKY CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT
Portland State will make its 14th appearance in the Big Sky Conference Tournament this season. Prior to 2015-16, Big Sky teams had to qualify for the tournament. This is the second year that all 12 teams automatically qualify though Northern Colorado will not participate due to a self-imposed post-season ban, leaving just 11 teams in the field.
     
The Vikings are 10-11 all-time in Big Sky Conference Tournament games with titles in 2008 and 2009. PSU is 1-0 in first-round games (last year), 5-5 in quarterfinals, 2-6 in semifinals and 2-0 in the championship. The Vikings are 5-7 all-time in neutral site games (also 4-1 in Portland, 1-3 at away sites).
     
Portland State is 1-2 all-time against Northern Arizona in the Big Sky Tournament.
Mar. 5, 1999  Northern Arizona 73, Portland State 56 (semifinal) at Ogden, UT
Mar. 9, 2000  Northern Arizona 77, Portland State 75 (quarterfinal) at Missoula, MT
Mar. 12, 2008 Portland State 67, Northern Arizona 51 (championship) at Portland (Rose Garden)
 
THE BIG SKY CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT
RENO, NV | Reno Events Center | Mar. 7-11, 2017
 
Tuesday, March 7, 2017 • First Round | Session 1
Game 1 - #8 Portland State (14-15, 7-11) vs. #9 Northern Arizona (9-22, 6-12) - 2:35 p.m.
 
Tuesday, March 7, 2017 • First Round | Session 2
Game 2 - #7 Sacramento State (12-17, 9-9) vs. #10 Idaho State (5-25, 3-15) - 5:35 p.m.
Game 3 - #6 Montana State (16-15, 7-11) vs. #11 Southern Utah (5-26, 3-15) - 8:05 p.m.
 
Thursday, March 9, 2017 • Quarterfinal Round | Session 1
Game 4 - #1 North Dakota (19-9, 14-4) vs. Winner of Game 1 - 12:05 p.m.
Game 5 - #4 Idaho (17-12, 12-6) vs. #5 Montana (16-15, 11-7) - 2:35 p.m.
 
Thursday, March 9, 2017 • Quarterfinal Round | Session 2
Game 6 - #2 Eastern Washington (21-10, 13-5) vs. Winner of Game 2 - 5:35 p.m.
Game 7 - #3 Weber State (17-12, 12-6) vs. Winner of Game 3 - 8:05 p.m.
 
Friday, March 10, 2017 • Semifinal Round
Game 8 - Winner of Game 4 vs. Winner of Game 5 - 5:35 p.m.
Game 9 - Winner of Game 6 vs. Winner of Game 7 - 8:05 p.m.
 
Saturday, March 11, 2017 • Championship Game
Game 10 - Winner of Game 8 vs. Winner of Game 9 - 5:30 p.m. (ESPNU)
 
GAME NOTES: PORTLAND STATE vs. NORTHERN ARIZONA
• ALL-TIME SERIES: Portland State leads all-time series between the schools is tied 24-23... the Big Sky Conference series is tied 22-22... Northern Arizona leads the Big Sky Conference Tournament series, 2-1, including 2-0 at neutral sites.
• Jan. 16 in Flagstaff, AZ, NAU 83, PSU 76: NAU's Mike Green hit a three-pointer with 32 seconds left to break a 76-76 tie. The Vikings had rallied from 11 down with 5:07 to play. The Lumberjacks outrebounded the Vikings, 51-26. Green led all scorers with 26 points, hitting 6-9 three-pointers, and also grabbed nine rebounds.  De'Sean Parsons had 19 points, 10 rebounds and two blocked shots for the Vikings. Feb. 25 in Portland, PSU 84, NAU 72: Portland State forced 23 turnovers for 34 burn points, and made 15 steals in the game. The Vikings led by as many as 26 points in second half. Calaen Robinson had 16 points, four assists and three steals for PSU. De'Sean Parsons added 16 points and seven rebounds. Jordyn Martin and JoJo Anderson had 13 points each for NAU.
• COACHES: Vikings Coach Tyler Geving (111-132/8th season) is 5-10 all-time against the Lumberjacks... Northern Arizona Head Coach Jack Murphy (63-100/5th year) is 4-3 all-time against Portland State... the coaches have never met in a Big Sky Tournament game.
 
NORTHERN ARIZONA LUMBERJACKS
• Northern Arizona, located in Flagstaff, joined the Big Sky Conference in 1970.
• The Lumberjacks have won four Big Sky Conference regular season championships, two Big Sky Tournament titles and made two appearances in the NCAA Tournament.
• NAU is 9-22 this season, 6-12 in the Big Sky. The Lumberjacks are 2-12 on the road, 2-3 at neutral sites.
• Senior forward Jordyn Martin is the team's leading scorer (13.2) and rebounder (8.6). Martin ranks second in the Big Sky in rebounding.
• Guard Mike Green averages 10.8 points per game. Marcus DeBerry averages 10.2 points and has a team-high 89 assists. Those two players have combined to make 113 three-point field goals this season.
• Senior forward Ako Kaluna averages 11.0 points and 5.5 rebounds.
• Northern Arizona ranks last in the Big Sky Conference in scoring at 69.4 points per game, and 11th in field goal percentage at .406. The 'Jacks are a strong rebounding team with a +2.1 margin, but rank last with a -2.3 turnover margin.
 
SUSTAINABLE AND RECYCLABLE VIKING QUICK NOTES
WINNING LINES
• Portland State is 14-15 this season, 10-3 at home, 4-12 on the road.
• With 14 wins this season, PSU has improved on last year's record (13-18).
• The Vikings have lost eight straight on the road.
• Portland State won five straight earlier this season (Dec. 13-29). It was the longest winning streak since winning six in a row late in the 2008-09 season.
• The Vikings' longest losing streak this season is four games.
Big Sky Battles
• Portland State is 174-187 all-time in all Big Sky Conference games, including the Big Sky Tournament (10-11).
• PSU is 116-58 in home games, 54-122 in road games and 4-8 in neutral-site games.
 
WHO IS HOT?
• JR C Traylin Farris has shot 50% or better from the field in 24 of 28 games played this season. He shoots .621 overall to rank third in the Big Sky Conference and fourth-best in school history.
• JR G Bryce Canda is 10-14 from three-point range (.714) over the last four games.
• FREE IS A GOOD PRICE: SR G Khari Holloway has made 13 straight free throws and leads the team with an .882 free throw percentage this season (30-34).
• In his 111th career game, SR G Zach Gengler scored his career-best, posting 19 points (6-9 FG, 1-3 3-pt, 6-6 FT) with four assists, three rebounds and two steals at Northern Colorado (3/2).
• THE FULL MONTIE: SR F Montie Leunen tallied a career-high 12 points (3-5 FG, 1-3 3-pt, 5-5 FT) with two rebounds in 20 minutes off the bench at Northern Colorado (3/2). 
 
WHO IS NOT?
• PSU has lost two in a row, five of seven and nine of 12. Six of the seven losses are by single digits and four were in overtime.
• The Vikings ranked 11th in free throw percentage (.649) and last in three-point shooting (.326) in Big Sky games.
• PSU has been outrebounded by 9.1 per game in its 15 losses.
• The Vikings are 0-5 in overtime games.
 
TASTY TIDBITS: A sampling of some unusual notes this season:
• A NEW RECORD... WITH A POSSIBLE ASTERISK: In just two seasons, SR G Calaen Robinson has set a new Portland State career record for steals with 125 (Anthony Lackey, 1998-2002, 121). It is a great achievement, especially considering Robinson ranks eighth in the nation with 2.41 steals per game this year (70 total). The school record for steals in a season is 94 by Terry Adolph in 1977-78. Adolph, who played alongside Freeman Williams from 1976-78, may well have made more than 125 steals, but prior to the '77-'78 season steals were not kept as an official statistic. So, speculation aside, Robinson is Portland State's all-time leader in steals. Teammate Zach Gengler stands in third with 117 steals.
• ANOTHER NEW RECORD... FOR CERTAIN: Portland State has 288 steals through 29 games this season (9.9), breaking the school record of 263 set last season in 31 games (8.48). The Vikings now rank third in the nation in steals behind West Virginia (10.9).
• A BAD TIME IN OVERTIME FOR THE VIKS: Portland State played four overtime games in a span of six starts (1/28-2/16), losing all four. For the season, the Vikings have played five overtime games and a total of eight overtime periods. Both are new school records... PSU played four overtime games in two other seasons (1998-99 and 2013-14)... Portland State has played in four triple-overtime games in its history (including a 130-124 loss at Eastern Washington on Feb. 4 this season), and one quadruple overtime game (a 92-91 win at Northern Arizona on Jan. 4, 2009).
• NUMBER 35: SR F De'Sean Parsons become the 18th different Viking player in history to score at least 35 points in a game with his performance at Eastern Washington (2/4). The feat has been accomplished 77 times with Freeman Williams doing it 41 times. Players have scored exactly 35 points on nine occasions, including Parsons. It is the eighth time in Portland State's Big Sky era that a player has scored 35 or more points.
• BURN POINTS: Portland State had an amazing 51 points off turnovers (or burn points) against North Dakota (12/29). That continued a season-long trend of burning opponents for their mistakes. The Vikings have scored 593 burn points this season (20.4 per game) to 371 for the opponents (12.8). That is a margin of +7.6 points per game.
• 100 WATCH: Portland State has had a number of meetings with the number 100 this season. Here are the highlights:
• Coach Tyler Geving won his 100th career game on Dec. 3 against UTRGV. Geving has the second-most career wins by a coach in PSU history (111).
• The Vikings have scored 100 or more points five times.
• SR G Zach Gengler played in his 100th career game on Jan. 19 against Montana. Gengler is on pace to finish his career among the top five in games played all-time at PSU. He has now played in 112 games... Gengler also has passed 100 career steals (117).
• SR G Calaen Robinson passed 100 career steals (125) and 100 career three-pointers (123).
• SR G Calaen Robinson passed 100 assists for the season (119).
 
TRENDING: Here is a look at some Viking trends:
• Portland State is 12-6 when scoring 80 or more points, 0-3 when scoring less than 70.
• The Vikings are 10-1 when leading at halftime, 2-12 when trailing, 2-2 when tied.
• PSU is 10-1 when shooting a higher percentage from the field than its opponents, 4-14 when being outshot.
 
IT TAKES A THIEF: For the second year in a row Portland State has set a school record for steals. The Vikings now have 288 after last year's previous mark of 263.
• The Vikings currently rank third in the nation in steals (9.9) behind West Virginia (10.9).
• PSU has had nine or more steals in 21 games this season.
• SR G Zach Gengler tied a school record with eight steals in a win over Idaho State (2/9).
• SR G Calaen Robinson leads the Big Sky Conference and ranks eighth in the nation in steals (2.41). He set a career- high with six against North Dakota (12/29).
• Robinson now holds the career record for steals at Portland State (125) and ranks second for a season (70). Gengler ranks third (117).
• Three Vikings rank in the top 10 in steals in the Big Sky: Robinson, Gengler, and SR F De'Sean Parsons.
• PSU had a season-high 19 steals in a win over North Dakota (12/29).
 
HOT SHOTS: Portland State is averaging 86.0 points per game - the most of any team in the Big Sky Conference. The Vikings have scored 99 or more points in six games this season. The scoring can be attributed to good shooting, an up-tempo pace, an ability to force opponent turnovers, and a few overtimes don't hurt.
• The Vikings shot .530 or better in eight of their wins.
• Portland State shoots .483 from the field overall and has failed to score at least 70 points only three times this season.
• PSU is forcing 16.9 turnovers per game while making 9.9 steals per game.
• Last year, PSU averaged 77.7 points. The last time PSU averaged over 82 points was 1976-77 when the Vikings aver-aged 91.0 points per game.
 
DOUBLE-DIGIT DYNAMICS: Portland State currently has six players averaging in double figures this season: JR F Braxton Tucker (16.8), SR F De'Sean Parsons (14.7), JR G Deontae North (13.4), SR G Calaen Robinson (13.1), JR C Traylin Farris (11.1) and JR G Bryce Canda (10.2).
• PSU has had at least five players score in double figures in 15 games this season.
• Portland State has had 126 double-figure scoring games this season, an average of 4.3 players per game.
 
BIG SKY CONFERENCE LEADERS: Portland State leads the Big Sky Conference in:
• Scoring, 86.0 points per game
• Assists, 16.0 per game
• Steals, 9.9 per game
• Turnover margin, +4.7
• Assist-to-turnover ratio, 1.3 (465/362)
• SR G Calaen Robinson leads in steals, 2.4
 
VIKINGS IN THE NATIONAL STATISTICAL RANKINGS (top 30):
• Portland State ranks 3rd in steals per game, 9.9
• Portland State ranks 5th in turnover margin, +4.7
• Portland State ranks 6th in turnovers forced, 16.9
• Portland State ranks 7th in scoring, 86.0 per game
• Portland State ranks 22nd in field goal percentage, .483
• SR G Calaen Robinson ranks 10th in steals, 2.39 per game
 
SEASON HIGHLIGHT REEL
• Despite the 106-100 double-overtime loss to Cal State Fullerton (11/13), the Vikings got career-high scoring performances from JR F Braxton Tucker (22 pts) and SR G Khari Holloway (13 pts).
• The Vikings won their first game of the season, a 113-81 decision over George Fox (11/17). The Vikings shot .655 from the field. JR F Braxton Tucker posted a career-high 24 points (8-10 FG, 8-11 FT) with 10 rebounds. SR G Calaen Robinson also had a career-high with 23 points (8-14 FG, 3-8 3-pt, 4-7 FT).
• JR F Brandon Hollins tied a PSU record by making 7-7 field goals in a game, scoring 18 points in the win over George Fox (11/17).
• Portland State forced 20 turnovers with 15 steals and shot .530 from the field in a 91-85 win at Pepperdine (11/27). SR G Calaen Robinson led the way with 22 points (8-14 FG, 4-8 3-pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, five assists and five steals. For the second time this season, six Vikings scored in double figures.
• The Vikings won their second game in a row in an 87-74 decision over UTRGV (12/3). PSU shot .571 from the field and .591 from three-point range (13-22). It was Head Coach Tyler Geving's 100th career win at Portland State. Five players were in double figures led by 20 points each from SR F De'Sean Parsons and SR G Calaen Robinson. Parsons added six rebounds, six assists, five steals and a blocked shot.
• SR F De'Sean Parsons was named College Sports Madness Big Sky Conference Player of the Week following the win over UTRGV (12/3). Parsons scored 20 points (8-14 FG, 1-1 3-pt 3-5 FT) with six rebounds, six assists, five steals and a block in the 87-74 win.
• JR G Deontae North posted 25 points (9-13 FG, 2-4 3-pt, 5-7 FT) with seven rebounds and four steals in 27 minutes at CSU Bakersfield (12/10).
• Portland State scored 100 points for the third time this season with a 110-79 victory over New Hope Christian (12/13). The Vikings shot .570 from the field and were led by the 26 points and 11 rebounds from JR C Traylin Farris, who established a new PSU record for field goal percentage in a game (12-13, .923) with at least 10 shot attempts.
• The Vikings picked up an 82-78 road win at San Francisco (12/16) to improve to 5-4 on the season. Although they shot only .435 from the field, a season-best 22-26 (.846) from the free throw line made the difference. SR G Calaen Robinson tied his career high with 23 points (7-11 FG, 5-7 3-pt, 4-4 FT). JR C Traylin Farris scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half as the Vikings came back from a 13-point deficit with 16:45 to play.
• SR G Calaen Robinson was named Big Sky Conference Player of the Week on Dec. 19 by College Sports Madness.
• The Vikings stretched their winning streak to three with a 77-75 win at Portland (12/20), ending a five-game losing streak to the Pilots. Six Vikings scored in double figures. SR G Calaen Robinson hit a go-ahead three-point field goal with 19 seconds left (75-72) on an assist from SR G Zach Gengler. Gengler then made a steal and hit two free throws in the closing seconds to ice the game.
• Portland State set a school-record, hitting 21-39 three-pointers in a 118-59 win over Walla Walla (12/22). The Vikings shot 45-77 (.584) for the game. They reached 100 points with over 10 minutes remaining in the game and scored the most points in 38 years. JR G Bryce Canda led the Vikings with 19 points (7-8 FG, 5-6 3-pt) in 15 minutes.
• PSU extended its winning streak to five games - the longest in eight years - with a 99-62 victory over North Dakota (12/29). The Vikings shot .565 from the field, had 19 steals, and scored 51 points off 26 UND turnovers. Seven players scored in double figures, led by SR G Calaen Robinson with 18 points (7-12 FG, 4-8 3-pt), seven assists and a career-high six steals.
• JR C Traylin Farris scored 15 of his game-high 19 points in the second half as the Vikings pulled away for an 83-76 win over Sacramento State (1/7). Farris also grabbed a season-high 13 rebounds. Five Vikings scored in double figures as PSU shot .528 from the field. It was the sixth win in seven games.
• Portland State won its third straight road game with an 88-77 decision at Southern Utah (1/14). It was the seventh win in eight games and ninth in 11 games. Five Vikings scored in double figures, led by 16 from JR G Bryce Canda and SR G Zach Gengler. SR F De'Sean Parsons had a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds.
• The Vikings ended a four-game losing streak to Montana with an 88-79 win (1/19). SR F De'Sean Parsons had his third straight double-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. SR Gs Zach Gengler and Calaen Robinson each scored 15 points. The Vikings shot .545 overall and 10-20 from three-point range. It was their eighth win in 10 games.
• SR G Calaen Robinson tied his career-high with 23 points (7-10 FG, 4-7 3-pt, 5-6 FT) and set a new career-high with eight rebounds at Sacramento State (1/28).
• Despite losing at Idaho (2/2), a pair of Vikings had career-scoring highs. JR G Deontae North had 29 points (8-17 FG, 5-10 3-pt, 8-10 FT) while SR F De'Sean Parsons went for 23 (8-16 FG, 7-11 FT).
• For the second game in a row, JR G Deontae North and SR G De'Sean Parsons set career-scoring highs. Parsons scored 35 points (14-17 FG, 7-13 FT) with six rebounds and three steals, while North had 30 points (10-20 FG, 5-6 3-pt, 5-10 FT), six rebounds and three assists in a loss at Eastern Washington (2/4). The 130-124 triple-overtime defeat marked the most total points scored in a game (254) in Portland State history. The previous mark was 243, set twice.
• SR G Zach Gengler tied a 39-year old school record, making eight steals and scoring 14 points to lead the Vikings to a 74-69 win over Idaho State (2/9). PSU trailed by 10 with under seven minutes to play but went on a 19-3 run to take control of the game.
• Despite a 96-93 overtime loss to Weber State (2/11), SR F De'Sean Parsons posted another 30-point game with 32 points (12-21 FG, 8-11 FT), seven rebounds, three assists and three steals. SR G Calaen Robinson set a career-high with 12 assists and matched a career-high with eight rebounds.
• Portland State played a school-record fifth overtime game in a 92-90 loss at Montana State (2/16). It was the fourth overtime game in the last six games played.
• The Vikings had six players in double figures as they ended a three-game losing streak and defeated Southern Utah, 93-86 (2/23). A strong bench effort played a big role as JR G Bryce Canda (11), SR G Khari Holloway (career-high 15), and JR F Brandon Hollins (12) combined for 38 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. They combined to shoot 13-20 from the field and 6-9 from three-point range. SR F De'Sean Parsons had 16 points, nine rebounds, four blocked shots and three assists in the game.
• Portland State won its second game in a row and closed down the Stott Center in style with an 84-72 win over Northern Arizona (2/25). It was the last game ever for PSU in the Stott gym as the new Viking Pavilion goes online in 2018. The Vikings scored 34 points off 23 NAU turnovers, and made 15 steals. PSU led by as many as 26 in the game.
• SR G Zach Gengler scored a career-high 19 points (6-9 FG, 1-3 3-pt, 6-6 FT) and SR F Montie Leunen had a career-high 12 points in an 87-84 loss at Northern Colorado (3/2).