The Pioneer men's basketball team fell on Tuesday, December 9,
to the NCAA I Portland State Vikings, currently second in the Big
Sky Conference, 77-66, at Peter W. Stott Center (boxscore). The game
was preceded by an alumni celebration at the Cheerful Tortoise
downtown.
The Pioneers began the first half with energy, taking their
first lead at the 18:30 mark. Within the first five minutes of
play, the Pioneers had secured a six point lead, attacking the
Vikings in the paint and demonstrating their composure in the full
court. Despite going cold from three point range, the Pioneers were
able to maintain their lead for the first 10 minutes. However, it
was an outstanding shooting performance by Portland State's Mickey
Polis in the next three minutes that would send the Pioneers into
an eventual 23-16 deficit. At the same time that the Vikings were
heating up from three point range, the Pioneers were held
scoreless, but it would be the Viking fouls that would allow the
Pioneers to remain close. After struggling for most of the half
with their shooting from outside, the Pioneers were finally able to
regain their strength in the final six minutes of the half.
Shooting just 32.4% from the floor in the first 20 minutes of play,
the Pioneers were able to fight back to a 37-30 deficit by the end
of the half.
In the second half, David Berggren (Sr., Tualatin, Ore.) came
out hot, scoring seven points in the first 3 minutes after going an
unusual 1-9 in the first half. Unfortunately, the Vikings were able
to match the Pioneer run, taking a 48-39 lead in the first four
minutes. The Pioneers battled back and forth, reducing the lead by
two points at a time, only to find that the Vikings would respond
on the other end. Showing a glimpse of hope, Drake Green (Fr.,
Oakland, Calif.) took charge at around the 11 minute mark, sparking
the beginning of what was hoped to be a Pioneer comeback. Green led
the Pioneers to within four points, but the Vikings would soon pull
away, just out of reach for the Pioneer offense. Despite shooting
42.9% from the floor in the second half, the Pioneers were unable
to match the Viking strength inside the paint. The Vikings finished
the second half shooting 60.0% from the floor, with a majority of
their points coming from their size inside.
David Berggren led the Pioneers with 14 points, 11 of which came
in the second half. James Hollins (Fr., Phoenix, Ariz.) added 12
points, going 4-7 from the floor. Josh Kollasch (Jr., Tucson,
Ariz.) assisted the Pioneer offensive attack, leading all players
with seven assists.
With the loss, the Pioneers fall to 4-2 on the season, with
their only other loss coming to #4 nationally ranked
Wisconsin-Whitewater.
