FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — The Portland State women's basketball team probably could have asked for a better location to mark its return from a 10-day hiatus. The Vikings – playing at 7,000 feet of elevation at Northern Arizona – fell behind early in a 94-66 loss at the Walkup Skydome, marking a tough return to play after they had three games postponed last week.
The Lumberjacks (12-11, 9-6 Big Sky) woke the Vikings up following their layoff with a splash of cold water in the first quarter. Using an active defense, the Lumberjacks forced the Vikings (5-16, 0-13 Big Sky) into 10 turnovers which led to 16 of NAU's 22 points in the first quarter.
The Vikings then didn't have the defense to mount a comeback against the Lumberjacks over the final three quarters. The Lumberjacks went a combined 28-of-43 (.651) from the floor over the final three quarters. NAU shot 12-of-15 (.800) in the second quarter while stretching their lead to 52-23 by halftime, as they finished the quarter on an 18-3 run.
"No excuses, for us. We didn't execute or match their intensity early," Portland State head coach Chesley Gregg said after the game. "We have to clean up turnovers and rebounding, no question. Back to work tomorrow to prep for the next one."
The Vikings didn't shoot poorly themselves, by any means, as they went 23-of-53 (.434), just the second time this season that they've shot over 40.0 percent in a Big Sky game. The Vikings shot 14-of-24 (.583) in the second half, including going 5-of-10 (.500) from three-point range.
Esmeralda Morales put together her best scoring game in Big Sky play this season. Morales set a season-high against conference opponents with 24 points on 8-of-14 shooting overall and 5-of-8 from three-point range. Morales' 24 points marked her highest scoring output since she set a record with 32 points in the Vikings' season opener against Warner Pacific on Nov. 9. Additionally, Morales' five three-pointers marked her most against a conference opponent this season, as well as her most makes in any game since she also hit five treys against Pepperdine on Dec. 10.
Morales scored 13 of her 24 points in the fourth quarter when she went 4-of-5 from the floor and 3-of-4 from three-point range.
Alaya Fitzgerald, playing in front of friends and family who made the short trip up from Gilbert, Ariz., scored 10 of her 12 points in the second half. Fitzgerald served as the Vikings' top distributor with five assists, as well, and also chipped in five rebounds.
Rhema Ogele, another of the Vikings' freshmen, scored seven points while adding four rebounds, three steals and a block.
The Vikings will look to bounce back now when they make up an earlier postponement with a home game against Montana Saturday. The Vikings host the Lady Griz at 2 p.m. at Viking Pavilion.
Game Notes: The Vikings still lead the all-time series between them and the Lumberjacks, 30-25, despite Thursday's loss…The Lumberjacks forced the Vikings into 20 turnovers, just the third time this season the Vikings have had 20 or more turnovers…The Lumberjacks outscored the Vikings 27-6 in points off turnovers, and also held advantages in fast-break (21-2) and second-chance points (15-5).
