Complete game notes (PDF)
 

TIPOFF

Winning is a heck of a lot more fun than losing. That's a no-brainer, and yet, games that swing on a few plays here or there – like last night's 65-64 win for the Portland State women's basketball team over Weber State – can remind you of that.
 
Thursday's win swung on Esmeralda Morales' last-second three-pointer that put the Vikings up one with 1.9 seconds remaining. But the Vikings only got that thanks to an offensive rebound after Morales missed her first attempt at a go-ahead three just a few seconds earlier. Weber State had the better look on that rebound, and yet Syd Schultz and Cinco McCartney battling down low forced it out of bounds off of the Wildcats.
 
So, Thursday night became a lot more fun for the Vikings thanks to a few plays here or there.
 
Basketball, in general, has been more fun for the Vikings of late as they've won three of their last four games. Different facets have led the Vikings to each of their three recent wins. Against Idaho on Jan. 7, it was the defense as the Vikings held the Vandals to only 43 points and 28.6 percent shooting. Against Northern Arizona on Jan. 12, it was the offense as the Vikings shot a season-high 51.8 percent from the floor while scoring 78 points, 30 of which came in the third quarter – the Vikings' highest scoring quarter in a game this season.
 
Against Weber State, it was grit that saw the Vikings to the victory. It didn't need to be, but an extended 23-5 run for the Wildcats turned what had been a 47-35 lead for the Vikings into a 58-52 deficit with 4:46 remaining. Momentum was completely on the Wildcats' side at that point, and yet, the Vikings made plays to shift the momentum and give themselves a chance to win it on Morales' corner three.
 
Appropriately, it was Morales and Schultz – the team's two captains – who combined for the Vikings' final 13 points in the game. Schultz started it with a three-point play that cut the Wildcats' lead in half, then added an offensive putback later that gave the Vikings a 62-61 lead with 1:44 remaining. Morales, meanwhile, scored eight points in the final five minutes of the game between two free throws and two three-pointers, the second of which was, of course, the game-winner.
 
The Vikings know they can win in a number of different ways then. That'll be good for them heading into their next game Saturday, when Idaho State comes to Viking Pavilion for a 2 p.m. tipoff.
 
The Bengals have been the Vikings' biggest frustration within the Big Sky Conference for some time. The Bengals have won 22 of the last 23 games between them and the Vikings, including the last six straight. But the Vikings nearly beat Idaho State on the road on Feb. 26 last season. They led by six with just over four minutes left, but Bengals outscored them 15-6 the rest of the way to beat the Vikings, 67-64.
 
While the Vikings will have the majority of their team back from that game, the Bengals will head into it with nearly an entirely new team. Callie Bourne represents the Bengals' lone returning starter, while she's one of only three returning letterwinners off last year's team that won the Bengals' second straight Big Sky regular-season title. And yet, despite all the newcomers, the Bengals have played a familiar style of basketball so far this season.
 
The Bengals lead the conference in scoring defense (56.8), field goal percentage defense (.355) and three-point field goal percentage defense (.253), and rank in the top 50 nationally in all three categories. They're also a strong rebounding team, as they lead the conference in offensive rebounds per game (13.4), while ranking second in total rebounds per game (39.5) and rebounding margin (+5.35).
 
Defense has been a strength for the Vikings, too, of course. While the Bengals lead the conference in scoring defense, the Vikings rank third in the category while allowing only 60.6 points per game. The Vikings also lead the conference in steals per game (9.69), having grabbed 12 steals Thursday against Weber State.
 
The Bengals have been a better rebounding team than the Vikings so far, but the Vikings will also carry a significant advantage from three-point range into Saturday's game. While the Bengals rank second-to-last in the Big Sky in three-pointers made per game (5.12) and three-point field goal percentage (.300), the Vikings stand second in percentage (.354) and fifth in makes (7.13 per game).
 
Morales leads the conference while ranking in the top 10 nationally in both categories. She ranks third nationally in percentage, making 49.5 percent of her shots from three-point range, while also standing sixth in makes at 3.06 per game.
 
It probably shouldn't come as a surprise Morales hit that shot to win Thursday night's game against Weber State, then. Just as it shouldn't be a surprise that winning is more fun than losing.
 

GAME NOTES: PORTLAND STATE (8-8, 3-3) vs. IDAHO STATE (8-9, 3-3)

GAME DETAILS: Saturday, Jan. 21, 2 p.m. PT, Portland, Ore. (Viking Pavilion)
LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO
SCOUTING IDAHO STATE: The Idaho State Bengals opened Big Sky play with three straight wins, but immediately followed with three straight losses to drop to .500 in Big Sky play heading into Saturday. An injury to one of the team's leading scorers, Finley Garnett, has hampered the Bengals over their last three games. Still, the Bengals enter Saturday as the best defense within the Big Sky Conference. The Bengals lead the conference in scoring defense (56.8), field goal percentage defense (.355) and three-point field goal percentage defense (.253), and rank in the top 50 nationally in all three categories. Strong rebounding helps fuel the Bengals' defensive efforts. They lead the conference in offensive rebounds per game (13.4), while ranking second in total rebounds per game (39.5) and rebounding margin (+5.35). Individually, Callie Bourne has scored in double figures in all six conference games so far this season, and now ranks ninth in the Big Sky while leading the Bengals with 13.6 points per game. Bourne also ranks eighth in the conference with 7.12 rebounds per game, as well as fourth with 4.24 assists per game. Besides Bourne, Garnett and Laura Bello also average in double figures with 11.4 and 11.0 points per game, respectively. Carsyn Boswell has averaged 10.0 points per game within Big Sky play, which is a significant increase from her 6.1 points per game across all games this season. Additionally, Bello, Bourne and Kacey Spink all rank in the top 15 of the Big Sky for rebounds. Bello ranks highest of the three, as she stands second in the conference with 9.00 rebounds per game. Bello also ranks second in the league with 3.06 offensive rebounds per game and fifth in defensive rebounds per game (5.94). Spink, meanwhile, ranks 10th in the Big Sky with 6.25 rebounds per game between 2.13 offensive rebounds (5th in the Big Sky) and 4.13 defensive rebounds (13th in the Big Sky) per game. The Bengals' weaknesses come on the offensive end where they rank last in the Big Sky in scoring offense (56.8), and second-to-last in field goal percentage (.373), three-pointers made per game (5.12) and three-point field goal percentage (.300).
ALL-TIME SERIES: The Bengals lead the all-time series between them and the Vikings, 42-23. The Bengals have owned the series of late. They've won 22 of the last 23 games between the two teams, including the last six straight. The Vikings' lone recent win in the series came on Jan. 18, 2020, in Pocatello.
 

STORYLINES/STREAKS/RECORDS

• Esmeralda Morales hit a game-winning three-pointer with 1.9 seconds remaining Thursday, giving the Vikings a 65-64 win over Weber State. It completed a comeback from a 58-52 deficit earlier in the fourth quarter, after Weber State went on an extended 23-5 run to take the lead late.
• The Vikings have now won three of their last four games after breaking through for their first conference win since 2021. The initial breakthrough came via a 53-43 win over Idaho on Jan. 7, while the Vikings immediately followed with a 78-66 win over Northern Arizona on Jan. 12.
• The Vikings beat Weber State Thursday despite being outshot (.512-to-.491) and out-rebounded (29-to-23). Weber State also finished with more free throws made (18-to-5) and committed fewer turnovers (16-to-17) than the Vikings.
• Thursday night was the first time the Vikings won a game in which their opponent shot better than 50.0 percent since beating Pepperdine on Dec. 10, 2021.
• The Vikings' lone loss in their last four games came against Northern Colorado, which beat the Vikings 75-56 last Saturday. The Bears became just the fourth team to score over 70 points against the Vikings this season.
• Esmeralda Morales is averaging 19.7 points per game in conference play on 54.9 percent (45-of-82) shooting from the field and 54.1 percent (20-of-37) from three-point range. She's twice scored a season-high 28 points within Big Sky play, first against Eastern Washington on Jan. 5, then against Northern Arizona on Jan. 12.
• While Esmeralda Morales is averaging 19.7 points per game in Big Sky play, no other Viking is averaging more than nine points against conference opponents. Thursday was the Vikings' first time having three players score in double figures in a conference game. Morales still led the way with 18 points, but Mia 'Uhila and Alaya Fitzgerald added 14 and 12 points, respectively.
• Even after Northern Colorado scored 75 points against them, the Vikings still rank third in the Big Sky and 90th nationally while giving up only 60.6 points per game. A year ago, the Vikings ranked 322nd in scoring defense while giving up close to 72 points a game. The Vikings have held six opponents to under 60 points in a game.
• Esmeralda Morales leads the Big Sky in four different statistical categories while she ranks in the top 15 of the conference in seven total categories. Morales leads the conference in steals per game (2.50), three-point field goal percentage (.495), three-pointers made per game (3.06) and minutes played per game (36.7). Her 49.5 percent mark from three-point range would set a new single-season school record if the season ended today.
• Jada Lewis has had a tough start to Big Sky play, going 7-of-34 from three-point range in the team's first six conference games. Despite that, Lewis still ranks sixth in the Big Sky with 2.50 three-pointers made per game, as well as sixth in percentage at .348.
• As a team, the Vikings rank second in the Big Sky and 38th in the NCAA with a three-point field goal percentage of 35.4 percent.
• Esmeralda Morales has five 20-point games this season. She now ranks fourth in the Big Sky and 74th nationally with 17.1 points per game. That's more than four and a half points per game more than she averaged as a freshman when she led the Vikings with 12.5 ppg.
• The Vikings recorded 12 steals in Thursday's win over Weber State. It was their eighth game of the season with 10+ steals. The Vikings now lead the Big Sky while ranking 60th nationally with 9.69 steals per game. Esmeralda Morales and Mia 'Uhila rank first and fourth in the Big Sky, respectively, with 2.50 and 1.88 steals per game.
• Jada Lewis passed Sidney Rielly (2016-19) for sixth on the all-time list for made three-pointers with five against Fresno State on Dec. 1. Lewis now has 165 makes in her PSU career. She needs 19 more to pass Karrin Wilson (1996-2000) for fifth all time.
• The Vikings chose "competitive," "hungry," and "family" as the three words to define their 2022-23 season. The players voted on the words at their team retreat in September.
• The Vikings are coming off a 2021-22 season in which they went 5-24 overall and 0-20 in Big Sky play. The Vikings started three freshmen in all but one game last season, while four of the team's top six scorers were freshmen. Esmeralda Morales, then a freshman, led the Vikings while ranking 11th in the Big Sky with 12.5 points per game last season. Her classmates Alaya Fitzgerald, Mia 'Uhila and Rhema Ogele followed with 9.3, 6.0 and 5.2 points per game, respectively.
• Head coach Chelsey Gregg enters her second year at the helm for the Vikings. Before becoming head coach, she spent the previous six seasons as first an assistant then an associate head coach for the Vikings.
• A season after they started three freshmen, the Vikings will still be young this season as they sport 10 underclassmen between three freshmen and seven sophomores (includes redshirts).

 

BREAKTHROUGH WINS

The floodgates have opened for the Vikings after their breakthrough win over Idaho on Jan. 7. After losing 22 conference games in a row, including all 20 last season, the Vikings have now won three of their last four conference games, including a 65-64 win over Weber State Thursday. The initial breakthrough came against the Vandals, who the Vikings beat 53-43 on Jan. 7. They followed with a 78-66 win at Northern Arizona on Jan. 12, before losing at Northern Colorado, 75-56 last Saturday. All three of the team's recent wins have come in different ways. Defense led the Vikings to the win over the Vandals. The Vikings held Idaho to 28.6 percent shooting from the field, the lowest mark by a conference opponent against the Vikings since Montana shot 28.0 percent on Jan. 13, 2020. Additionally, the Vandals' 43 points were their lowest output ever against the Vikings. No conference team had scored as low as 43 points against the Vikings since Weber State scored 38 points in a game on Jan. 31, 2019. Against NAU, offense led the way. The Vikings shot a season-high 51.8 percent from the field while their 78 points were their most in a regulation game against a Division I opponent this season. The Vikings scored 30 points in the third quarter alone, their highest scoring output in a single quarter this season. Thursday, the Vikings beat Weber State through grit, coming back from a late six-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Weber State had taken control of the game with an extended 23-5 run between the end of the third and start of the fourth quarter. However, the Vikings reversed momentum late, capped by Esmeralda Morales' game-winning three-pointer with 1.9 seconds remaining.
 

DE-FENSE, DE-FENSE

A season after the Vikings ranked last in the Big Sky and 322nd in the NCAA for scoring defense, it's been almost a 180-degree turn for the Vikings' defense this season. The Vikings held Idaho to just 43 points in their win on Jan. 7 – the sixth time they've held an opponent to under 60 points – and they followed that up by holding an NAU offense that was leading the Big Sky in scoring offense at more than 78 points per game to 12 below their average. Northern Colorado had more success against the Vikings – scoring a season-high 75 points by a Viking opponent – but the Vikings still rank third in the Big Sky and 90th nationally in scoring defense while allowing just 60.6 points per game. Northern Colorado was only the fourth team to score more than 70 points against the Vikings, and one of those four times came in an overtime game against Seattle U on Nov. 17. Strong on-the-ball defense has led the way for the Vikings. Against the Lumberjacks last Thursday, the Vikings turned 17 NAU turnovers into 20 points. Thursday night against Weber State, the Vikings turned 16 Wildcat turnovers into 22 points. The Vikings are forcing 16.5 turnovers per game, which ranks them fourth in the Big Sky. They also rank third in the conference with a positive turnover margin of 1.19.
 

THREE-POINT SHOOTING

Esmeralda Morales put a punctuation mark on a standout season for her from beyond the three-point line Thursday, when she hit a game-winning three with 1.9 seconds remaining against Weber State. Morales hardly needed a punctuation mark since she's leading the Big Sky in both three-pointers made per game and percentage, but it gave her one anyways. After Thursday, Morales now ranks third nationally while shooting 49.5 percent from three-point range, and also ranks sixth nationally with 3.06 three-pointers made per game. Her 49.5 percent mark from the outside would set a new single-season school record if the season ended today, beating the old record of 47.0 percent that P.J. Hall set during the 1993-94 season. Jada Lewis, meanwhile, has had a tough start to Big Sky play, going 7-of-34 combined in the team's first six conference games. But Lewis still ranks sixth in the Big Sky and 73rd in the NCAA with 2.44 three-pointers made per game. She also ranks sixth in the Big Sky while shooting 34.8 percent from three-point range. Together, Morales and Lewis account for 88 of the Vikings' 114 three-point makes this season. Alaya Fitzgerald ranks third on the team with 12 makes from deep, while the rest of the team has combined for 14. As a team, the Vikings rank second in the Big Sky and 38th in the NCAA with a three-point field goal percentage of .354. They rank fifth in the Big Sky with 7.13 three-pointers made per game.
 

SWIPING LEFT AND RIGHT

Gen Z knows how to swipe. Not just on their phones it turns out, as the Vikings have proven so far this season. The Vikings opened the year with 22 steals against Warner Pacific on Nov. 7, the program's most steals in a single game since they also had 22 in a win over Idaho on Dec. 20, 2006. They recorded 12 steals Thursday against Weber State, as Syd Schultz, Mia 'Uhila and Esmeralda Morales all had at least three steals. As a team, the Vikings posted 10+ steals in eight of their 16 games this season, and had nine steals in two of the other games. The Vikings now lead the Big Sky while ranking 60th in the NCAA with 9.69 steals per game. Individually, Esmeralda Morales leads the Big Sky while ranking 40th nationally with 2.50 steals per game. Mia 'Uhila also ranks fourth in the conference with 1.88 steals per game.
 

MORE OF MORALES, PLEASE

Esmeralda Morales was a captain in stature if not in name last season when she led the Vikings in scoring as a freshman. Now also a captain in name, Morales has continued to play like one as she proved Thursday night with her game-winning three-pointer in the final seconds against Weber State. Through six Big Sky games, Morales is averaging 19.7 points per game while shooting 54.9 percent (45-of-82) from the field and 54.1 percent (20-of-37) from three-point range. Morales has twice scored a season-high 28 points within Big Sky play, while she scored 14 of her team-high 18 points in the second half against Weber State. Overall, Morales is averaging 17.1 points per game over all games this season, ranking her fourth in the Big Sky and 74th in the nation for scoring. Morales ranks in the top 15 of the Big Sky in seven different statistical categories, including scoring, and she leads the conference in four of those seven categories. Morales leads the conference in steals per game (2.50), three-point field goal percentage (.495), three-pointers made per game (3.06) and minutes played per game (36.7). Her three-point field goal percentage also ranks her third in the NCAA, while it would set a new single-season school record if the season ended today. Additionally, Morales ranks sixth nationally in three-pointers made per game and 13th in minutes played. Outside of those categories, Morales ranks second in the Big Sky in field goal percentage (.490) and 10th in assists per game (2.88).
 

JADA CAN KNOCK DOWN THE J's, DUH

Head coach Chelsey Gregg said Jada Lewis has ice in her veins after she hit four three-pointers in the fourth quarter to lead the Vikings past Fresno State on Dec. 1. But Lewis' heroics against the Bulldogs were just the latest example. She also came up big late in the Vikings' game against Seattle U on Nov. 17, converting a four-point play with 23.9 seconds left to force overtime. While Lewis has struggled at the start of Big Sky play – going 7-of-34 combined from three-point range in the team's six conference games so far – she still ranks sixth in the Big Sky in both three-pointers made per game (2.44) and percentage (.348). Lewis has five games with at least four made three-pointers this season, which all came in a six-game stretch from Nov. 26 to Dec. 20. Lewis' three-point shooting means she's averaging a career-best 11.3 points per game for the Vikings this season, surpassing the 10.0 she averaged last season. From a career perspective, Lewis has moved up the three-point career rankings at Portland State this season. She passed Sidney Rielly (2016-19) for sixth in career three-pointers during the win over Fresno State. She now has 165 career makes from three-point range, and needs 19 more to pass Karrin Wilson (1996-2000) for fifth all time.
 

TALKIN' SHIP

Head coach Chelsey Gregg has started a series in which she interviews one of her players weekly as they walk around Viking Pavilion. Previous episodes have featured the following players on the following topics:

• Alaya Fitzgerald talking about her support system and some of her viral moments on TikTok with teammate Rhema Ogele.
• Syd Schultz talking about her love for Giannis Antetokounmpo – both his game and his shoes – as well as her Wisconsin roots (no wonder she loves Giannis).
• Sofía Llanos talking about coming from Spain and teaching Coach Chelsey how to say "Defend The Ship" in Spanish (defiende el barco).
• Cinco McCartney talking about her family (including her baby sister) back on the East Coast and her clothing line (@continued_confidence) that highlights mental health.
• Paige Winter-Blanchard talking about her favorite WNBA players (Maya Moore and Breanna Stewart) as well as her Christmas morning traditions with her family.
• Jada Lewis talking about her love for cooking and her "Shoot Like a Girl" clothing brand.
• Marina Canzobre talking about her interest in fashion, adjusting to classes in English, and teaching Coach Chelsey how to say "Home of the Vikings" in her native language (Fogar Dos Viquingos).
• Rhema Ogele talking about her biggest influence (her brother, Danny Ogele), her Chicago roots, and her favorite moment as a Viking.
• Mia 'Uhila talking about her Hawaiian and Alaskan roots, the fishing and wildlife in Alaska, her pre-game routines and her sneaker game.

 

YOUTHFUL ROSTER

A season after the Vikings started three freshmen in all but one game, the Vikings will again have a youth-heavy roster this season. Ten of the team's 15 players enter the year as underclassmen between three freshmen and seven sophomores (including redshirts). Last year's freshmen – Alaya Fitzgerald, Esmeralda Morales, Rhema Ogele and Mia 'Uhila – got plenty of experience last season, but they'll still only be sophomores. Sophomore transfers Sofía Llanos and Paige Winter-Blanchard will join them as underclassmen this season, while Nakia Boston also returns as a redshirt sophomore after sitting all of last season with an ankle injury. Additionally, the Vikings brought in three freshmen in Alani Encinas, Brooklyn Strandy and Kiana Yesiki, all of whom could see time for the Vikings this season.
 

PRESEASON PREDICTIONS

Last season's struggles shaped the preseason expectations for the Vikings among Big Sky coaches and media members. The Vikings were picked to finish last in the conference by both groups, while last year's tournament champion Montana State was picked to finish first in both polls. The Vikings returned five of their top six scorers from a year ago, however, between Esmeralda Morales (12.5 points per game), Jada Lewis (10.0 ppg), Alaya Fitzgerald (9.3 ppg), Mia 'Uhila (6.0 ppg) and Rhema Ogele (5.2 ppg). This year's roster also features a full 15 players, including six newcomers between three freshmen – Alani Encinas, Brooklyn Strandy and Kiana Yesiki – and three transfers – Sofía Llanos (from Marshall), Cinco McCartney (from Northeastern) and Paige Winter-Blanchard (from Centralia/William Jessup).
 

SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

Jan. 19, 2023, Portland State 65, Weber State 64: Esmeralda Morales hit a game-winning three-pointer with 1.9 seconds remaining, delivering the Vikings their third win in their past four games. The Vikings trailed 58-52 with 4:46 left in regulation after an extended 23-5 run for the Wildcats but reversed the momentum late.
Jan. 12, 2023, Portland State 78, Northern Arizona 66: A 30-point third quarter – the team's highest scoring quarter this season – led the Vikings to their second straight conference win. The Vikings shot a season-high 51.8 percent from the floor, while their 78 points were their most in a regulation game against a Division I opponent this season.
Jan. 7, 2023, Portland State 53, Idaho 43: The Vikings recorded their first conference win since March 5, 2021, while beating the Vandals. They held the Vandals to 28.6 percent shooting from the field (16-of-56), the lowest mark by a conference opponent against the Vikings since Montana shot 28.0 percent (21-of-75) on Jan. 13, 2020. Additionally, the 43 points Idaho scored were their lowest ever against the Vikings, and the lowest by any Big Sky opponent since Weber State scored 38 points on Jan. 31, 2019.
Jan. 5, 2023, Eastern Washington 65, Portland State 56: Esmeralda Morales scored 20 of the Vikings' first 29 points in the game on her way to a season-high 28 points on 11-of-17 shooting overall and 5-of-8 from three-point range.
Dec. 20, 2022, Portland State 83, Evergreen 45: The Vikings set season highs for points (83), rebounds (41), rebounding margin (+13, assists (23 on 27 field goals) and three-pointers (13) in their win over Evergreen. Nakia Boston made her return from injury in the game, playing for the Vikings for the first time in 651 days.
Dec. 1, 2022, Portland State 62, Fresno State 60: Jada Lewis hit four three-pointers in the fourth quarter after Fresno State took its only lead of the game. Lewis and Esmeralda Morales both hit five three-pointers in the game while matching each other with 19 points to lead the way.
Nov. 26, 2022, Portland State 73, Utah Valley 55: The Vikings avenged a 19-point loss to Utah Valley last season with an 18-point win over the Wolverines on the same weekend of the calendar, Thanksgiving Saturday. Esmeralda Morales went a perfect 5-of-5 from three-point range, while she and teammate Jada Lewis combined to go 9-of-13 from deep.
Nov. 17, 2022, Portland State 80, Seattle U 73: The Vikings erased a five-point deficit with 38 seconds remaining thanks in part of a four-point play by Jada Lewis that tied the game with 25 seconds remaining. It was the Vikings' first road win since the end of the 2020-21 regular season, and their first overtime win since Jan. 7, 2021.
Nov. 7, 2022, Portland State 67, Warner Pacific 40: The Vikings recorded 22 steals for their most steals in a single game since Dec. 20, 2006. They also assisted on their first 19 field goals in the game, while finishing with 20 assists on 22 field goals.