MSU hopes to beat PSU and the weather

By TONY CASTLEBERRY, Chronicle Sports Editor

PORTLAND, Ore. - Usually, a trip to Portland gives Montana State's men's basketball team a break from the harsh winter weather that sets in on the Rocky Mountains this time of year.

Not this week.

A severe storm rocked the City of Roses Tuesday, dumping several inches of snow, sleet and freezing rain across the region and shutting down virtually everything. The Portland Trail Blazers-Memphis Grizzlies game was postponed Tuesday and only a few businesses remained open. The city's light-rail transportation system - Tri-Met - screeched to a halt and although city buses were able to operate, they did so on a delayed basis. Long delays and/or flight cancellations were the norm at Portland International Airport.

In the midst of all these problems caused by one of the worst winter storms in Oregon's history, MSU must try and focus on beginning Big Sky Conference play tonight against Portland State. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. (MST) in PSU's Stott Center and the game can be heard live on KXLB-FM 100.7.

Montana State (8-5) is coming off one of its most impressive victories of the season, erasing a 14-point deficit to drop Colorado State Monday night 82-75 in Worthington Arena. Standout guard Jason Erickson poured in a career- and game-high 30 points in the victory while freshman reserve Nick Dissly tied his career high with 17 points, including going 11-of-14 from the free-throw line.

The win over CSU marked the fourth consecutive game the Bobcats have scored at least 80 points and the offense seems to be hitting its stride. Five players scored at least seven points against the Rams and six 'Cats recorded assists.

MSU also outrebounded Colorado State 37-30, led by Dissly's game-high nine boards. Forward Calvin Ento leads the Bobcats on the glass, pulling down 5.8 rebounds per contest while Erickson is the team's top scorer with a 17.7 points per game average. Frank Brown is averaging a team-high 4.4 assists per contest.

Portland State (6-7) has won two of its last three games, including a 76-74 overtime loss to Tennessee-Martin last time out. Guard Blake Walker and forward Seamus Boxley pace the Vikings with Walker averaging a team-high 18.4 points per contest. Boxley averages 13.2 points and a team-leading 8.8 rebounds per game.

PSU fields its tallest team ever with nine players standing 6-foot-6 or taller. Boxley (6-7) is an all-conference candidate who returned to the court this season after sitting out last year because of an injury. Boxley used a redshirt last season.

Another 6-7 forward, Marshal Hartman, is back after an injury forced him to redshirt last year and Antone Jarrell, a 6-6 forward, redshirted last year as well after transferring from Texas-El Paso. Both Hartman and Jarrell join Boxley, Walker and 6-2 guard Will Funn to make up the Vikings starting lineup.

Even without Boxley, Hartman and Jarrell, PSU played the Bobcats close twice last season. MSU beat the Vikes 52-48 in Bozeman and the Bobcats held on for a 60-56 win in Portland.

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