Boxscore - PDF 

Portland, OR – Portland State took command early and led all the way to win their season-opening game over the University of Puget Sound, 94-69, at Viking Pavilion.
 
Five Vikings scored in double figures and all 10 that played had at least five points each as PSU took the easy victory over Division III UPS. The win marked the ninth straight at home dating to last season.
 
Senior guard Matt Hauser scored 13 points, while Sal Nuhu, Alonzo Walker, Holland Woods and Kyle Greeley all scored a dozen each. 
 
"I thought in the first two games (including the exhibition last week) we were able to give great experience and be balanced with our minutes," said Viking Coach Barret Peery. "We played a very good first half. The second half was way too sloppy and casual. Sometimes it is tough to keep that intensity up with a big lead though."

As expected, Portland State set the pace early with its full-court pressure. The Loggers turned the ball over 11 times in the first nine minutes, and to make matters worse, got into early foul trouble allowing the Vikings to shoot 21 first-half free throws. 
 
PSU broke out to a 54-28 halftime lead. The Vikings hit 20-38 shots from the field (.526) and forced 21 Loggers' turnovers. 
 
Puget Sound was game in the second half though. The Loggers won the first 10 minutes, 24-17, and trimmed the Viking lead to 71-52.
 
That would be as close as UPS would get though. The Vikings continued to apply pressure and turn Loggers mistakes into transition. PSU finished with 32 points off 31 Puget Sound turnovers.
 
For the game, Portland State was 36-80 from the field (.450) compared to 26-65 for UPS (.400). The Vikings out-rebounded the Loggers, 46-39.
 
Rashaad Goolsby hauled down a career-high 10 rebounds to lead the Vikings. Chris Whitaker and Nuhu each had seven boards. Woods led the Vikings with five assists.

"It's always great to get a win, start the season 1-0 and gain momentum going into the next game. Everybody had an opportunity to get on the floor, play double digit minutes and gain experience," said Peery.

Cal Hansen had a big game for Puget Sound, scoring 21 points on 10-12 from the field and grabbing five rebounds.
 
GAME NOTES: The Viking made 18 steals, led by five from Holland Woods. He became the eighth Viking in Portland State history to reach 100 career steals. He now has 104 in his 66-game career… Sal Nuhu matched his career high with six blocked shots… PSU is now 13-4 all-time in Viking Pavilion… the level of competition rises dramatically later this week as Portland State travels to Indiana for a game against the Hoosiers. PSU has never faced Indiana, and has only played three Big Ten opponents in its history. The game is on Saturday at 11 a.m. PT.