Complete game notes (PDF)
TIPOFF
The Portland State women's basketball team close out their four-game road trip Saturday (2 p.m. tipoff) with a game against one of the Big Sky Conference's hottest teams in Eastern Washington.
The Eagles bounced back from an upset loss to Weber State last week with a 64-53 win over Sacramento State Thursday. They've now won six of their seven games, including a 27-point road win at Montana on Jan. 16.
The Vikings bounced back in their own way Thursday, even if it didn't result in a win. After a blowout loss to Montana last Saturday, the Vikings returned to form Thursday in a back-and-forth, high-scoring game against Idaho. While the Vandals won 77-70, the Vikings tied their season high with 13 made three-pointers in the game behind a balanced scoring night that saw four different players hit at least three three-pointers for the first time this season.
Esmeralda Morales led the Vikings with 26 points, two points off her season high.
Alaya Fitzgerald followed with 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting overall and 3-of-6 from three-point range, while
Cinco McCartney added a career-high 13 points to go with seven rebounds while matching Fitzgerald at 3-of-6 from the outside.
Jada Lewis was the other Viking to hit three three-pointers Thursday, as she went 3-of-4 from beyond the arc.
Idaho countered with its own offensive explosion, however, as they shot better than 60.0 percent from the floor in the final three quarters of the game. The Vandals, usually a stronger outside shooting team, went 21-of-30 (.700) from inside the arc after the opening quarter.
Defense, which had been a strength for the Vikings, has been a concern in the team's last two games. Idaho shot 52.7 percent from the floor Thursday, setting a new season high for a Big Sky opponent against the Vikings this season. Montana, meanwhile, set season highs for points (88), three-pointers (13) and three-point field goal percentage (.500) by a Viking opponent last Saturday.
The Vikings will need to shore that up this Saturday, as Eastern Washington represents one of the top offenses in the Big Sky. They lead the league in scoring margin (+7.52) while ranking second in scoring offense (71.6) and third in field goal percentage (.425).
Poor stretches have cost the Vikings in their three recent losses on their road trip. Against Montana State on Jan. 26, the Vikings were leading by four in the third quarter when the Bobcats went on a 16-2 run to take control of the game. Similarly, Idaho took control of Thursday's game behind a 15-2 run to finish the first half. Montana had several stretches that hurt the Vikings in their win last Saturday.
Some of that's the nature of playing on the road where it's tougher to stop an opponents' run than at home. However, the Vikings will need to limit the Eagles' scoring stretches if they hope to win Saturday.
The Eagles have punished opponents on the ball this season. They lead the conference in turnover margin (+4.57), assist-to-turnover ratio (1.26), assists per game (15.3) and steals per game (9.24). They rank 13th nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio thanks in part to only giving up 12.1 turnovers per game, an average that also leads the conference while ranking the Eagles eighth nationally.
Twenty PSU turnovers cost the Vikings in their first game against the Eagles this season, which Eastern Washington won 65-56 at Viking Pavilion on Jan. 5. The Vikings limited Jaydia Martin – the Eagles' leading scorer who ranks fifth in the Big Sky with 16.1 points per game – to 11 points on 3-of-10 shooting from the floor. However, the Eagles countered with a double-double of 24 points and 12 rebounds from Jacinta Buckley.
As a team, the Eagles have four players averaging double figures between Martin (16.1), Aaliyah Alexander (11.3), Buckley (11.1) and Jamie Loera (10.5). Jaleesa Lawrence also stands just outside of double figures with 9.8 points per game.
Loera has been a do-everything player for the Eagles this season, as she ranks in top 15 of the Big Sky in a number of categories. She leads the conference in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.11), while she ranks second in steals per game (2.33), second in assists per game (4.52) and 13th in rebounds per game (5.86).
Of course, the Vikings have their own do-everything player in Morales, who comes into Saturday ranked in the top 15 of the Big Sky in nine different statistical categories. She leads the conference in four of those nine categories, including steals per game where Morales and Loera rank 1-2 in the conference.
Morales scored 28 against the Eagles the last time the teams played, as she went 11-of-17 overall from the floor and 5-of-8 from three-point range. The Vikings didn't have any other player score in double figures, however.
Better balance was a feature of Thursday's game against the Vandals. The Vikings will rely on repeating that Saturday against the Eagles.
Do that, and the Vikings can close out their four-game road trip with a bang.
GAME NOTES: PORTLAND STATE (9-11, 4-6) vs. EASTERN WASHINGTON (14-7, 7-4)
GAME DETAILS: Saturday, Feb. 4, 2 p.m. PT, Cheney, Wash. (Reese Court)
LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO
SCOUTING EASTERN WASHINGTON: The Eastern Washington Eagles bounced back from an upset loss to Weber State with a 64-53 win over Sacramento State Thursday. The win gave the Eagles their sixth win out of their last seven games, after the Wildcats snapped the Eagles' five-game winning streak with a 68-65 win in Ogden on Jan. 28. The Eagles opened Big Sky play just 1-3, but have jumped into a tie for third in the conference with their recent winning streak. Statistically, the Eagles rank as one of the best offenses in the Big Sy Conference. They lead the league in scoring margin (+7.52) while ranking second in scoring offense (71.6) and third in field goal percentage (.425). The Eagles are elite on the ball, as they lead the conference in turnover margin (+4.57), assist-to-turnover ratio (1.26), assists per game (15.3) and steals per game (9.24). They rank 13th nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio thanks in part to only giving up 12.1 turnovers per game, an average that also leads the conference while ranking the Eagles eighth nationally. Individually, Jaydia Martin – last year's Big Sky Conference Freshman of the Year – ranks fifth in the Big Sky while leading the Eagles with 16.1 points per game. Martin also ranks third in the conference with 2.50 three-pointers made per game, while she's sixth in the conference in field goal percentage (.422). Behind Martin, three other players average in double figures for the Eagles between Aaliyah Alexander (11.3), Jacinta Buckley (11.1) and Jamie Loera (10.5). Jaleesa Lawrence also stands just outside of double figures with 9.8 points per game. Buckley leads the Eagles with 7.28 rebounds per game, ranking her seventh in the conference. Loera ranks in top 15 of the Big Sky in a number of categories. She leads the conference in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.11), while she ranks second in steals per game (2.33), second in assists per game (4.52) and 13th in rebounds per game (5.86). In the Eagles' previous game against the Vikings, a 65-56 win for the Eagles, the Vikings held Martin to only 11 points on 3-of-10 shooting from the floor. Buckley, however, recorded a double-double of 24 points and 12 rebounds, while Loera finished with eight points and nine assists. Both Martin and Buckely also had four steals in the game as the Eagles forced the Vikings into 20 turnovers.
ALL-TIME SERIES: The Eagles lead the all-time series between them and the Vikings, 43-35. The Eagles have won five of the last six in the series, including a 65-56 win over the Eagles at Viking Pavilion on Jan. 5 earlier this season. The Vikings' last win in the series came via a 71-51 victory at the Big Sky tournament on March 8, 2021.
STORYLINES/STREAKS/RECORDS
- The Vikings are 0-3 on their four-game road trip, having dropped both games in Montana (64-52 to Montana State on Jan. 26, 88-56 to Montana on Jan. 28) and a 77-70 loss at Idaho Thursday. Before the road trip, the Vikings had won four of their previous five games.
- Idaho and Montana have averaged 49.6 percent shooting and 82.5 points per game in the past two games against the Vikings. Idaho shot 52.7 percent Thursday, the highest mark by a conference opponent this season. Montana, meanwhile, set season highs for points (88), three-pointers (13) and three-point field goal percentage (.500) by a Viking opponent.
- The Vikings tied a season high with 13 made three-pointers Thursday. Four different players hit three three-pointers in the game, the first time this season that the Vikings have had that level of even distribution.
- The Vikings' Big Sky opponents are averaging more than five more free throw attempts per game (16.1-to-11.0). Montana State outshot the Vikings 20-to-2 from the free throw line in their win over the Vikings on Jan. 26.
- Despite two high-scoring games in their past two games, the Vikings still rank third in the Big Sky and 132nd nationally in scoring defense while allowing 62.3 points per game. That's a big improvement from a year ago, when the Vikings ranked 322nd in scoring defense while giving up close to 72 points a game.
- Esmeralda Morales led the Vikings with 26 points Thursday against Idaho, her seventh 20-point game of the season and her third in Big Sky play. She enters Saturday fourth in the Big Sky and 93rd nationally with 16.6 points per game.
- Jada Lewis broke out of a shooting slump during the Vikings' trip to Montana. After starting Big Sky play just 7-of-35 (.200) from three-point range through the team's first seven conference games, she's now 10-of-20 (.500) over the team's last three games.
- Esmeralda Morales leads the Big Sky in four different statistical categories while she ranks in the top 15 of the conference in nine categories. Morales leads the conference in steals per game (2.40), three-point field goal percentage (.467), three-pointers made per game (2.85) and minutes played per game (36.7). Her 46.7 percent mark from three-point range is just off the single-season school record of 47.0 percent that P.J. Hall set during the 1993-94 season.
- Jada Lewis ranks fourth in the Big Sky and 67th nationally with 2.45 three-pointers made per game. She also ranks sixth in the conference and 95th nationally with a three-point field goal percentage of .368.
- As a team, the Vikings rank second in the Big Sky and 27th nationally with a three-point field goal percentage of 35.8 percent. They also rank fifth in the Big Sky and 68th nationally with 7.4 three-pointers made per game.
- The Vikings recorded 12 steals against Weber State on Jan. 19. It was their eighth game of the season with 10+ steals. The Vikings now rank third in the Big Sky and 81st nationally with 9.10 steals per game. Esmeralda Morales and Mia 'Uhila rank first and fourth in the Big Sky, respectively, with 2.40 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 172 makes in her PSU career. She needs 12 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 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 won four of five conference games in the middle of January, including the program's first 2-0 conference weekend since Feb. 2021. The Vikings swept Weber State and Idaho State for the 2-0 weekend, beating both teams by a single point. The Vikings topped the Wildcats 65-64 on Jan. 19 on a go-ahead three-pointer from
Esmeralda Morales with 1.9 seconds remaining. They followed with a 48-47 win over Idaho State on Jan. 21, holding the Bengals scoreless over the final 3:33 of game time. The Vikings' wins over Idaho State and Idaho gave them victories over two teams that have tormented the Vikings in the past. The initial breakthrough win against Idaho marked just the third time the Vikings had beaten the Vandals in their past 20 games against each other. The win over the Bengals, meanwhile, was just the Vikings' second in their past 24 games against them.
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. While Montana and Idaho have scored highly against the Vikings in their past two games, Portland State still ranks third in the Big Sky and 132nd nationally in scoring defense while allowing just 62.3 points per game. The Vikings held Idaho to just 43 points in their first game against each other this season – a 53-43 win on Jan. 7 – the fewest points a conference opponent has scored against the Vikings since Weber State totaled 38 points on Jan. 31, 2019. Idaho State didn't score that much more in their game against the Vikings on Jan. 21, as the Vikings held them to just 47 points. Idaho State and Idaho are two of seven opponents this season that the Vikings have held to under 60 points in a game. Northern Arizona scored more than 60 points against the Vikings on Jan. 12, but the Vikings still held the Lumberjacks – the Big Sky's top offense, averaging more than 78 points per game at the time – to 12 points below their average in a 78-66 win.
THREE-POINT SHOOTING
Until Thursday, the Vikings' three-point shooting had largely been led by two players,
Esmeralda Morales and
Jada Lewis, who together have accounted for 106 of the Vikings' 148 made three-pointers this season. But Thursday was a different story. Four different players hit at least three three-pointers against Idaho for the first time this season, as
Alaya Fitzgerald and
Cinco McCartney joined Morales and Lewis. That balance saw the Vikings tie their season high with 13 three-pointers against the Vandals, which came on 48.1 percent shooting from beyond the arc. The Vikings now rank second in the Big Sky and 27th nationally while shooting 35.8 percent from three-point range this season. They also stand fifth in the Big Sky and 68th nationally with 7.40 makes per game. Morales and Lewis still lead the Vikings individually. Morales tops the conference in both percentage and makes, while also ranking in the top 25 nationally in both categories. Morales ranks seventh in the NCAA while shooting 46.7 percent from three-point range, while she's 23rd nationally with 2.85 makes per game. Morales' 46.7-percent mark is just off the current single-season school record of 47.0 percent that P.J. Hall set during the 1993-94 season. Meanwhile, Lewis, who is 10-of-20 (.500) from three-point range in the Vikings' last three games, has jumped to fourth in the Big Sky and 67th nationally in makes per game (2.45). She also ranks sixth in the Big Sky and 95th nationally in percentage (.368). Fitzgerald ranks third on the team with 20 three-pointers this season, giving her an average of 1.0 makes 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 against Weber State on Jan. 19, as
Syd Schultz,
Mia 'Uhila and
Esmeralda Morales all had at least three steals. As a team, the Vikings have posted 10+ steals in eight of their 20 games this season, and had nine steals in two other games. The Vikings now rank third in the Big Sky and 81st in the NCAA with 9.10 steals per game. Individually,
Esmeralda Morales leads the Big Sky while ranking 49th nationally with 2.40 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 against Weber State on Jan. 19 with her game-winning three-pointer with 1.9 seconds remaining. Morales has twice scored a season-high 28 points within Big Sky play, while she finished Thursday's game at Idaho with 26 points. Overall, Morales is averaging 16.6 points per game this season, ranking her fourth in the Big Sky and 93rd nationally. Morales ranks in the top 15 of the Big Sky in nine different statistical categories, including scoring, and she leads the conference in four of those nine. Morales leads the conference in steals per game (2.40), three-point field goal percentage (.467), three-pointers made per game (2.85) and minutes played per game (36.7). Her three-point field goal percentage also ranks her seventh in the NCAA, while it stands just off the current single-season record of 47.0 percent that P.J. Hall set during the 1993-94 season. Additionally, Morales ranks 16th nationally in minutes played and 23rd in three-pointers made per game. Outside of those categories, Morales ranks fourth in the Big Sky in field goal percentage (.455), seventh in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.25), 10th in assists per game (3.00) and 15th in free throw percentage (.737).
JADA CAN KNOCK DOWN THE J's, DUH
Watching a player find their stroke again after a slump is always a satisfying thing. For Viking fans, that's been
Jada Lewis over the team's last three games. In that time, Lewis is 10-of-20 (.500) from three-point range, a dramatic turnaround from how she started Big Sky play, when she was just 7-of-35 (.200) through the team's first seven conference games. Lewis had a dominant run from three-point range earlier in the season. She hit at least four three-pointers in five of the Vikings' last six non-conference games. That included a performance against Fresno State on Dec. 1 that saw her hit four three-pointers in the fourth quarter to help the Vikings turn back a comeback attempt from the Bulldogs. Lewis now ranks fourth in the Big Sky and 67th nationally with 2.45 three-pointers made per game, while she stands sixth in the conference and 95th nationally in three-point field goal percentage (.368). 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 175 career makes from three-point range, putting her nine away from passing Karrin Wilson (1996-2000) for fifth all time.
ROOTING FOR LAY IS A LAY UP
Alaya Fitzgerald – nicknamed Lay – had a career game against Idaho State on Jan. 21. With her sister and her sister's boyfriend singing the national anthem before the game, Fitzgerald scored a career-high 24 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field and 4-of-6 from three-point range. Fitzgerald's 24 points accounted for half of the Vikings' total in the game (48), while her four three-pointers also marked a new career high. Fitzgerald had another big game Thursday against Idaho, scoring 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting overall and 3-of-6 from three-point range. For the season, Fitzgerald ranks sixth in the Big Sky in free throw percentage (.854), 13th in assists per game (2.50) and 14th in minutes played per game (31.3).
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.
- Esmeralda Morales talking about being co-captain of the team, who she models her game after (Sue Bird, Skylar Diggins-Smith & Diana Taurasi), and what she gets up to with her teammates outside of basketball.
- Alani Encinas talking about balancing school with basketball, her favorite home-cooked meal that she misses while at school (caldo de queso), and what a day in the life looks like for her.
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
Feb. 2, 2023, Idaho 77, Portland State 70: The Vikings tied a season high with 13 made three-pointers. Four different players hit at least three three-pointers in the game for the first time all season.
Jan. 21, 2023, Portland State 48, Idaho State 47: The Vikings beat Idaho State at home for the first time since 2011, and just the second time in their past 24 games against the Bengals across all venues.
Cinco McCartney hit back-to-back three-pointers to give the Vikings the lead for good with 1:53 remaining. The Vikings held the Bengals scoreless over the final 3:33 of game time.
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.