Complete Game Notes for Portland State vs. Seattle in pdf format

Coming off a third-place finish at the eight-team Great Alaska Shootout, the Portland State Vikings return home for two games starting this Saturday with the Seattle Redhawks. The Vikings and Redhawks will meet for the second Saturday in a row when they tip off at 7:05 p.m. in the Stott Center. PSU defeated Seattle U. in the third-place game at the Great Alaska Shootout, 81-67.

The Vikings are 5-1 on the season, which is their best six-game start since the 1998-99 season. Portland State maintains the best record of any team in the Big Sky Conference through three weeks of the preseason.

PSU won two of three games in Anchorage, winning their opener over Northern Illinois, 79-58, last Wednesday. They lost to Hampton in overtime, 77-71, on Friday, before beating Seattle on Saturday.

In addition to the third-place finish, SO F Phil Nelson and JR G Dominic Waters each were named to the All-Tournament team at the Great Alaska Shootout.

Seattle went 1-2 at the Great Alaska Shootout, and is 4-3 on the season. They come to the Park Blocks for the first time since Jan. 14, 1980.

COMING UP
Portland State will host Lewis and Clark College on Tuesday, Dec. 9. The Vikings will have to take advantage of the next two home games as their final five non-conference games are on the road. PSU travels to Washington (Dec. 14), Cal Poly (Dec. 17), fifth-ranked Gonzaga (Dec. 23), Texas Southern (Dec. 27) and 24th-ranked Baylor (Dec. 29).

PSU will play one conference game in the midst of those road contests. The Vikings have their Big Sky opener on Dec. 20 at the Stott Center against Montana. After the first of the year, Portland State returns to conference play at Sacramento State (Jan. 2) and Northern Arizona (Jan. 4). That makes a stretch of seven out of eight on the road for the Vikings after next week.

PORTLAND STATE HOSTS COMMUNITY TOY DRIVE THIS WEEK
The Portland State Athletic Department will hold a Community Toy Drive at this week's men's and women's basketball games against Seattle University.

The Vikings Community Toy Drive will be featured at the women's game on Friday and the men's game on Saturday. Fans who bring a new, unwrapped toy, will receive a FREE general admission ticket. The toys will be donated to the Portland Police Buddy Bear Program and Marines Toys For Tots. Tip-off for both games is 7:05 p.m. at the Peter W. Stott Center.

PORTLAND STATE VIKINGS (5-1) VS. SEATTLE REDHAWKS (4-3)
Saturday, December 6, 7:05 p.m., Peter W. Stott Center (1,500), Portland, OR
Television: None ? Live Webcast: www.bigskytv.org ? Live Stats: www.GoViks.com
Radio: AM 910 KTRO, www.am910ktro.com ? Play-by-play: Tom Hewitt
Pre-game Show: 6:30 p.m. ? Tip-off: 7:05 p.m.

Portland State and Seattle University had not faced each other for almost 29 years prior to last Saturday - a game in which the Vikings won, 81-67. This time, they will wait only seven days before they meet again, as PSU hosts the Redhawks at the Stott Center this Saturday. Seattle hosts Lewis-Clark State on Thursday, prior to facing the Vikings.

Seattle U. is 4-3 on the season after finishing fifth at the Great Alaska Shootout. The Redhawks are in the first year of a transitional period from Division II to Division I. They are 1-3 against Division I programs this season.

Seattle has held opponents to just 62.6 points per game this season. The Redhawks have forced nearly 18 turnovers per game, and have a +5.7 turnover margin.

Junior guard Chris Gweth leads the Redhawks with 13.4 points per game, 17 three-point field goals, 17 assists and 15 steals. Senior forward Austen Powers averages 11.3 points and 5.7 rebounds. He was named to the GAS All-Tournament team last week. Senior forward Michael Wright averages 8.9 points and 5.7 rebounds.

The Redhawks also feature junior forward Mike Boxley (7.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg), brother of former PSU great Seamus Boxley.

Seattle Head Coach Joe Callero is in his eighth season. He has a symetrical 100-100 record with the Redhawks. In 10 years of collegiate coaching, Callero is 122-125. PSU Associate Head Coach Tyler Geving played for Callero at Highline Community College, and also served as an assistant under him at Highline and Seattle University.

TOURNAMENT TIDBITS: NELSON, WATERS EARN HONORS
? SO F Phil Nelson and JR G Dominic Waters were both named to the Great Alaska Shootout All-Tournament team at the conclusion of the event... Nelson led the Vikings with an 18.7 scoring average over the three games. Nelson had a season-high 24 points against Hampton. He also averaged 4.3 rebounds per game and made a tournament-high 10 three-point field goals. Nelson shot .476 from three-point range and .875 at the line... despite coming off the bench all three games, Waters averaged 14.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists. He shot .556 from the field, .500 from three-point range and .800 at the line. Waters scored a season-high 22 points with six assists in the win over Seattle University.
? Portland State led the Great Alaska Shootout in scoring (77.0 ppg) and assists (17.7 apg), and had the two highest scoring games... SO F Phil Nelson led the tournament in scoring (18.7) and three-point field goals (10), while SR G Andre Murray led in free throw percentage (6-6, 1.000).
? SR G Andre Murray was named the Player of the Game in the win over Northern Illinois, scoring 16 points with four rebounds and four assists... JR G Dominic Waters was named Player of the Game in the win over Seattle with 22 points, six assists and four rebounds.
? The Vikings played Northern Illinois and Hampton for the first time in their history, and faced Seattle for the first time in nearly 29 years.
? Portland State has competed in eight preseason tournaments in its 13 seasons since the return of basketball to the Park Blocks. The Vikings are 9-11 in those tournament games, and have not won any tournament titles. The closest they came was a second-place finish at last year's Top of the World Classic, losing to Colorado State, 64-63, in the championship game.
? The Big Sky Conference had six previous participants in the Great Alaska Shootout's 30 years. However, none reached the championship game either.

Great Alaska Shootout Results
Wednesday, Nov. 26
Hampton 69, Alaska Anchorage 61
Portland State 79, Northern Illinois 58

Thursday, Nov. 27
Seattle 61, Louisiana Tech 46
San Diego State 59, Western Carolina 58

Friday, Nov. 28
Northern Illinois 71, Alaska Anchorage 68
Western Carolina 76, Louisiana Tech 62
Hampton 77, Portland State 71 (ot)
San Diego State 75, Seattle 56

Saturday, Nov. 29
7th/8th Place Game: Alaska Anchorage 62, Louisiana Tech 57
4th/6th Place Game: Western Carolina 71, Northern Illinois 67
3rd/5th Place Game: Portland State 81, Seattle 67
Championship Game: San Diego State 76, Hampton 47

VIKING FAST BREAKS
THIRD-PLACE FINISH CONTINUES VIKINGS' SOLID START
With a third-place finish at the Great Alaska Shootout, Portland State is 5-1 for the first time since 1998-99 when the program opened 5-1 under former coach Joel Sobotka. The last time PSU started 6-1 was in 1976-77 under Ken Edwards... Portland State maintains the best record in the Big Sky Conference through three weeks of the preseason... the Vikings suffered their first loss to a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference team when they fell in overtime to Hampton. PSU is 7-1 all-time against MEAC schools... Portland State is now 3-3 in overtime games under Head Coach Ken Bone.

MORE ON WINNING
? Portland State has won 12 straight at home heading into a home game with Seattle University.
? The Vikings have beaten teams from Conference USA, the West Coast Conference, the Big West Conference and the Mid-American Conference this year.
? The Vikings are 21-4 in the calendar year of 2008.
? Head Coach Ken Bone is 59-40 in four seasons at Portland State, 317-158 in 17 seasons as a collegiate coach.
? With 13 straight Big Sky wins at home, Portland State is two wins short of the school record for consecutive Big Sky home wins (15).
? Portland State has won 14 straight games against Big Sky Conference opponents (including the Big Sky Tournament).
? The Vikings have won six straight Big Sky Conference road games - a school record.
? In 2007-08, for the first time in school history, Portland State had both its men's and women's basketball programs win 20 games in the same season. PSU's men were 23-10, while the Viking women were 22-9 in 2007-08.

HOME IS WHERE THE WINS - AND THE WINNING STREAKS - ARE
Portland State extended its home winning streak to 12 games (10 at Stott, two at the Rose Garden) with an 81-76 win over Portland on Nov. 18, then a 76-75 win over Cal State Fullerton on Nov. 23... PSU was 13-1 at home last season, including 10-1 at the Stott Center... PSU has a 13-game home winning streak against Big Sky Conference opponents, but that won't get tested until Dec. 20 when the Vikings take on Montana... PSU has gone 83-28 in 111 games at the Stott Center since the 1996-97 season. Including home games at Memorial Coliseum (12-6) and the Rose Garden (19-9), the Vikings are 114-43 at home over 13 seasons.

DIGIT TROUBLE
SR G Jeremiah Dominguez has struggled since injuring his right index finger in the Vikings' win over Portland on Nov. 18. Dominguez had 47 points in the Vikings first two games, hitting 14-27 shots, and 9-15 three-point field goals. In the four games since then, Domiguez has managed only 14 points on 5-26 field goals, including 3-19 from three-point range. PSU played those four games in a seven-day stretch. It is hoped that six days off between games will allow Dominguez time to heal the finger... Dominguez still leads the Big Sky in steals (12)... Dominguez scored 24 points with four rebounds, four assists and a steal in 38 minutes of action in a season-opening win over Rice. The Viking point guard was 7-12 from the field, 4-6 from three-point range and hit a key three-pointer with one minute remaining in the game. Perhaps just as impressive, Dominguez did not commit a single turnover at the point. He was named Big Sky Conference Player of the Week for his effort. Dominguez has been named Big Sky Conference Player of the Week three times in his career... in 2007-08, Dominguez led the Vikings in scoring (14.2), three-point field goals (84), assists (4.1) and steals (62), setting a new school record for three-point field goals in a season... last season, Dominguez led the Big Sky Conference in steals (1.94) and three-point field goals made per game (2.63). He ranked second in free throw percentage (.813), third in assists (4.06) and scoring (14.2)... he was the Big Sky Conference Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, first team All-Conference and Big Sky All-Tournament in 2007-08.

A SECOND HALF SENSATION
SR G Jeremiah Dominguez has proven to be a big-time second half performer in his career at Portland State. Here is a list of his late-game heroics over the past two seasons:
2008-09 SEASON
? Dominguez scored 17 of his game-high 24 points in the second half against Rice (11/15) as the Vikings came from behind to win, 78-74. His three-point field goal with one minute remaining gave the Vikings an insurmountable 76-70 lead.
? Dominguez scored 19 of his game-high 23 points in the second half against Portland (11/18) as the Vikings came from behind to win, 81-76.
2007-08 SEASON
? J.D. made the game-winning basket against IUPUI with 4.5 seconds remaining at the Top of the World Classic (11/16/07).
? Dominguez scored 19 points, with nine of those in overtime, in leading the Vikings to a 60-53 win over Utah Valley (12/1/07). He also had three assists, three rebounds and three steals.
? Dominguez scored 22 points with five assists and three steals in an 85-83 overtime win against Northern Colorado (1/19/08). He scored 10 points in the last 2:26 of overtime.
? Dominguez made two free throws with 5.7 seconds left to lift the Vikings to a 70-68 win over Montana (1/31/08). He scored 19 of his game-high 26 points (7-13 FG, 8-8 FT) in the second half.
? Another big second half led to a career-high 28 points in the win over Montana State (2/2/08). Dominguez scored 26 after intermission and added five steals. He hit 9-14 from the field, 4-6 from three-point range, 6-6 at the line.
? Dominguez scored the last eight Viking points, including 6-6 at the line in the final 30 seconds, turning a 68-68 tie into a 76-73 win over Weber State (2/16/08).

PHIL-ING IT UP
SO F Phil Nelson has hit his stride in a Viking uniform. After redshirting last year following his transfer from University of Washington, Nelson has stepped into the starting lineup, and over the last week taken charge with the Vikings. Nelson had his first three double-figure scoring games at the Great Alaska Shootout, and led the tournament in scoring at 18.7 points per game. He also averaged 4.3 rebounds, made a tourney-high 10 three-pointers and shot .875 at the line. Nelson was named to the Great Alaska Shootout All-Tournament team... Nelson scored a season-high 24 points against Hampton and now leads the Vikings with a 12.8 scoring average and 13 three-point field goals made (.406).

ON BALANCE
Currently, six Vikings average 9.3 points per game or more: Phil Nelson (12.8), Jamie Jones (12.5), Dominic Waters (12.0), Kyle Coston (10.3), Jeremiah Dominguez (10.2), Andre Murray (9.3)... five different Vikings have led the team in scoring in six games... four different Vikings have led in rebounding... five different Vikings have led in assists.

COOL, RUNNING WATERS
Another transfer, JR G Dominic Waters, has been solid as a rock through six games. Despite not starting, he is third in minutes played at 24.8 per game... Waters scored a season-high 22 points with six assists and four rebounds in the third-place game of the Great Alaska Shootout as the Vikings beat Seattle. Waters averaged 14.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, shot .556 from the field, .500 from three-point range, and .800 at the line in the tournament to earn All-Tournament honors... for the season, Waters is averaging 12.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, shooting .531 from the field, .444 from three-point range and .750 at the line.

HELLO, FROM MR. JONES
JR F Jamie Jones, also a transfer, has made his presence felt in the middle, averaging a team-high 7.5 rebounds and blocking eight shots through six games. At the Great Alaska Shootout, Jones averaged 9.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, blocked six shots and had six steals... for the season, Jones averages 12.5 points while shooting .615 from the field and .786 at the line... Jones had a season-high 21 points against Cal State Fullerton (11/23), hitting 9-12 from the field and 3-3 at the line. He scored the game-winning basket with 10 seconds left to play on a short hook in the lane... Jones' 13 rebound game at Rice (11/15) was the most by a Viking in 36 games.

COUNT ON COSTON
JR F Kyle Coston continues to see his playing time - and consistency - improve as a Viking. Coston averaged 12.3 points and 2.3 assists at the Great Alaska Shootout, and has now scored in double figures in the last four games... Coston is averaging 10.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and has blocked five shots this season. He shoots .400 from three-point range (12-30)... Coston made key plays down the stretch to aid in the Vikings' comeback win over Cal State Fullerton (11/23). Coston hit a three-pointer with 2:57 to play, giving the Vikings a 71-68 lead. The Titans took the lead back, but Coston's three with 46 seconds left put PSU ahead again, 74-73. On the the Vikings' final offensive play, Coston dished inside to Jones, getting the assist on the game winner... the Vikings are 19-5 when Coston is a starter over the past two seasons.

THE RETURN OF ANDRE
After starting the season slow, SR G Andre Murray is getting up to speed. He has raised his scoring to 9.3 points, while averaging a team-high 3.3 assists per game. Murray also leads the team with a .938 mark at the free throw line... Murray was named Player of the Game in the win over Northern Illinois (11/26) at the Great Alaska Shootout. He had 16 points, four rebounds and four assists... PSU is 23-5 with Murray in the starting lineup over the past two years.

ALSO NOTEWORTHY
PSU averages just 12.5 turnovers per game this year, while forcing 16.2. The Vikings averaged 14.7 turnovers last year... the Vikings are on a school-record pace, averaging 25.2 three-point field goal attempts per game... Portland State leads the Big Sky Conference in scoring margin (+6.5), assists (15.83), turnover margin (+3.67), three-point field goals made (8.83), and assist-to-turnover ratio (+1.27)... SR G Jeremiah Dominguez leads the Big Sky in steals (2.00) for the second year in a row.

GUEDE OUT
SO G/F Paul Guede is out indefinitely with a broken bone in his left foot. Guede, who played in the first two games, sustained the injury in practice on Nov. 21. He had surgery on Dec. 1 to repair the bone. Guede had nine points, five rebounds and two steals in 25 minutes of play.

MORE FUN WHEN IT'S FULL
Portland State's Nov. 18 win over University of Portland was sold out with 1,500 fans in the Stott Center. It was the second sellout in two seasons for PSU. There were five sellouts during the 2004-05 season.