BOISE, Idaho — It may seem like an eternity ago, but the Portland State Vikings are in fact the last team to win the Big Sky Conference women’s basketball tournament.
A few of the holdovers from that Viking squad that claimed the title in the spring of 2019 still play for Lynn Kennedy’s squad. And in the opening of the league’s tournament on Monday at Idaho Central Arena in Boise, PSU senior Kylie Jimenez and junior Desirae Hansen settled in right away.
Hansen, a smooth, confident combo guard who hit the game-winning shot in the championship game as a freshman to lift Portland State to its first-ever Big Sky Tournament berth, scored 15 points for the No. 8 seed Vikings. Jimenez added 12 points as four Portland State players scored in double figures as the Vikings cruised to a 71-51 win over No. 9 Eastern Washington on Monday afternoon.
“We had all the confidence in the world,” Hansen said. “I feel like we play really good here and we showed it. We just have to keep playing team basketball.
“We always play good here and we are trying to get back to the big dance,” Jimenez said. “We have the same goal and just want to keep playing.”
Tatiana Streun led all scorers with 16 points for Portland State. Jada Lewis hit four 3-pointers and matched Streun’s 16 points to pace the Vikings.
“You want to be playing your best basketball come March and we’ve done that the last couple of years,” Kennedy said. “We keyed in on defense and on rebounding. We wanted to keep them off the offensive boards. Every possession offensively, I thought we could score and that’s what you want as a coach.”
Eastern Washington freshman Maisie Burnham scored 13 points to the way.
“Portland State played a great game today so credit to them,” EWU longtime head coach Wendy Schuller said.
Portland State advances to play top-seeded Idaho State. The Vikings play the Bengals at 11 a.m. on Tuesday. ISU beat PSU 80-55 and 70-62 in the two matchups between the squads this season.
“We just can’t take our foot off the gas,” Jimenez said. “We have to keep the confidence going. This tournament means everything and it’s crazy to think it’s my senior year. I want to go out on a win.”
Northern Arizona 82, Weber State 68
Last season, Loree Payne helped NAU reach heights the Lumberjacks had not reached in quite some time.
Payne, a native of Havre, Montana and a former standout for the University of Washington, helped NAU to its first conference tournament win since 2007 during the 2018-19 season. Last year, NAU earned a bye in the first round of the tournament, then beat the once-powerful Lady Griz of Montana to advance to the semifinals for the first time since that same 2007 run to the Big Sky championship game.
Monday at Idaho Central Arena in Boise, NAU looked like the talented team picked to finish among the league leaders much more than the team that struggled with injuries and consistency during the most recent regular-season.
The Lumberjacks caught fire early from deep and never let Weber State get on track, cruising to an 82-68 victory that earns NAU a tournament victory for the third time in as many seasons.
“It’s been a long season and we were one of two teams that played an entire conference season,” Payne said after the win. “It’s definitely taken its toll on the kids.
“This was a great opportunity. Our record wasn’t what we ideally wanted. And I don’t think it was indicative of the talent we have on this team. It was just a tough year. So for us to be able to focus on the things we can control, we know we are a team that can score in transition and we know we are a team that can put up a lot of points.”
Miki’ala Maio exploded for 23 points, including drilling three of her four attempts from beyond the arc as NAU went 12-of-26 from beyond the arc. Jacqulynn “JJ” Nakai, who was recently named the Big Sky Newcomer of the Year, came off the bench to drill five 3-pointers (in 10 attempts) and scored 19 points as NAU advanced to the quarterfinals of the Big Sky Tournament.
“The mindset right now is win or go home so you have to play like every game is your last,” Maio said. “I’m just really proud of how we set the tempo and came out and set the tone. It’s win or go home so let’s keep winning.”
Photos by Brooks Nuanez. All Rights Reserved.
