PORTLAND, Ore. ? Portland State head women's basketball coach Sherri Murrell has been given a contract extension through June 30, 2015.

Murrell is entering her third year at the helm of the program and has a record of 45-19 with the Vikings. This past season, Murrell guided PSU to its best year ever at the Division I level as the Vikings went 23-10 and reached the WNIT. It marked PSU's first postseason appearance since jumping up to DI play for the 1996-97 season.

"Portland State is a special place and a perfect fit for myself and my family," said Murrell. "This extension demonstrates that the University believes in our program, our staff, and our players both past, present and future.

"I appreciate the confidence and support of my Athletic Director Torre Chisholm and our President Wim Wiewel. I want to thank them both for understanding our vision and giving us the support to be successful in the classroom and on the court."

Under Murrell's watch, two Vikings have earned Academic All-America status (Delaney Conway in 2008, Kelsey Kahle in 2009) and in 2007-08, point guard Claire Faucher was tabbed as a honorable mention All-America player. 

Murrell has posted a .703 winning percentage in her two seasons, the best in Portland State women's basketball history. The Vikings have gone 25-7 under Murrell in Big Sky Conference action, giving them almost as many wins as they had in the five seasons prior to her arrival (26 from 2002-03 to 2006-07).

"Sherri has done a tremendous job for PSU," Chisholm said. "She has produced the two best seasons in our Division I history, taken us to the postseason for the first time, and mentored an All-American as well as two Academic All-Americans. I wanted to ensure that she remains our coach for the future, because I'm confident that she will continue to bring great success and outstanding student-athletes to the program."