USAFA, CO – Portland State out-muscled the Air Force Falcons in the season-opener for both teams and came away with a 62-55 win at Clune Arena.
Air Force tried to impose its methodical pace on Portland State. And while it worked to an extent, the Vikings won the physical battle with the Falcons. PSU shot only .360 from the field, but out-rebounded Air Force 41-34, and got to the free throw line 10 more times (19-29 for PSU to 9-19 for Air Force). In particular, Portland State snared 14 offensive rebounds for 16 second chance points.
Ten different Vikings scored in a balanced attack.
Jorell Saterfield led the way with 10 points and seven rebounds.
Isaiah Johnson grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds to go with seven points.
PSU opens the season 1-0 and has beaten the Falcons for the second year in a row.
Behind in the opening moments, the Vikings went on a 7-0 run to get the lead and were on top the final 13-and-a-half minutes of the first half. PSU was up 31-27 at halftime.
The Falcons came back to tie the game at 34, 36 and 38. Then back-to-back baskets by Beau Becker and Ethan Taylor suddenly had Air Force ahead 43-38 with 12:41 remaining to be played.
The game remained close before Portland State got the lead back for good at 51-49 on a pair of free throws by Saterfield with 6:24 left in the game. That ignited the Vikings on a winning run.
Isaiah Johnson followed with a driving basket, then a fast break dunk from
Hayden Curtiss and jumper from Saterfield had PSU ahead 57-49 and forced an Air Force timeout with 4:46 to go.
Air Force briefly closed within three at 57-54 inside of three minutes to play. But down the stretch the Vikings got to the free throw line and made just enough (5-8) to hold off the Falcons.
Portland State made 18-50 shots overall, including 7-27 from three-point range. Air Force was 20-50 (.400) and 6-25 (.240).
Beau Becker and Chase Beasley scored 14 points each for the Falcons, who also got 15 rebounds from Kellan Boylan.
GAME NOTES
- Beginning his third season as Portland State's Head Coach, Jase Coburn started guards Ismail Habib, Jorell Saterfield and Bobby Harvey, and forwards KJ Allen and Kendall Munson in the first game. Twelve Vikings saw action.
- Isaiah Johnson's 13 rebounds were the most by a Viking since Hunter Woods had 14 in last year's season-opener at Portland.
- Bobby Harvey made two three-point field goals. That marks the 28th straight game he has made a three for the Vikings. The PSU record is 35 straight games by Brian Towne in 1997-98.
- The Vikings beat Air Force last season, 68-64, in Portland. The Vikings lead the all-time series, 6-2, including 3-1 at Air Force. PSU was making its first appearance in Clune Arena since 1999.
- The last time the Vikings won their opening road game of the season was in 2017 at Portland, 80-75.
- Portland State now travels to face UC Santa Barbara on Thursday night. That game tips off at 7 p.m. and can be seen on ESPN+.
