Portland State steals win from IUPUI, 75-73

Submitted by Tom Myrick
Phone: 907-474-6805
11/16/07

The first real heavyweight battle of the BP Top of the World Classic more than lived up to its billing, as the fight between Portland State and IUPUI came down to the final few seconds. Fortunately for Portland State, they had the cool head of Jeremiah Dominguez. The smallest player on the court played the biggest role in the game’s final outcome, snapping a 73-73 tie with a confident drive and reverse lay-up before sealing the Vikings win by stealing the subsequent inbounds pass.

Senior guard Deonte Huff also came up huge down the stretch for Portland State, ignoring a hand in his face to hit a clutch, game-tying three from the corner with just 45 seconds remaining. Huff then sacrificed his body on the defensive end of the floor, taking a hard charge from Billy Pettiford to win the ball back for the Vikings.

IUPUI seemed to be in charge of the game throughout most of the second half, clinging to a lead they stretched to as many as 11 at one point. Portland State stuck around, however, erasing a six-point deficit in just under a minute behind two Dominguez and Huff three-pointers.

Both teams sent a clear message to the rest of the Top of the World Classic field, producing an impressive and entertaining display of basketball, particularly in the second half, as the two teams traded blows all the way down the stretch. Every shot IUPUI hit, Portland State had answered. Both teams made over half their shots from the floor for the game, as the Jaguars shot 55.8 percent and the Vikings drained 58 percent of theirs, including a whopping 73.1 percent (19-26) in the second half.

Dominguez, who finished with 15 points, and Tyrell Mara, who had 18, both cracked double-digit scoring for Portland State. IUPUI’s John Avery hit for a game-high 22 points in a losing effort.

Portland State’s road to the BP Top of the World championship game continues with another fierce test tomorrow, as they meet the Akron Zips at 8 p.m. tomorrow night. IUPUI now faces a quick turnaround, as they meet the University of South Carolina Upstate in the 2:30 game tomorrow.

On the web at BP Top of the World Classic or visit alaskananooks.cstv.com.