Saturday, February 28th, 10:05 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Reese Court (6,000) -- Cheney, Washington. Television:None. Home Record: Portland State 12-1, EWU 9-4. Away Record: Portland State 6-7, EWU 3-12. Neutral Record: Portland State 2-1, EWU 0-0. Conference Record: Portland State 9-5, EWU 6-9. Series Record: Eastern Washington leads, 16-11.

GAME NOTES: The regular season will come to a close tonight for two teams, as the Eastern Washington Eagles will host the Portland State Vikings in a Big Sky Conference showdown at Reese Court. The Vikings come into this matchup with a 10-5 ledger in league play, and if the team can corral a victory this evening, while also having Montana lose, the Vikings would earn the second seed in the Big Sky tournament and a first round bye. Portland State is coming off its third straight win, a 64-58 victory over Montana State. As for the Eagles, they need plenty of help just to get into the post-season tournament, but most importantly they need a victory this evening. EWU is currently just 7-9 in conference play and is coming off a 63-59 overtime loss to Seattle. It was the third setback in four games for the Eagles and ninth loss in the last 12 matchups. The Eagles have a 16-11 edge over Portland State in the all-time series, but the Vikings were victorious in the last matchup defeating EWU by an 83-61 margin.

The Vikings have been one of the more consistent scoring teams in the Big Sky Conference and come into this game netting 74.3 ppg, while shooting a healthy 45.5 percent from the floor. Jeremiah Dominguez has been a terrific leader on the floor, as the guard is netting 12.6 ppg, while also leading the team with 84 assists. Dominic Waters is contributing 11.9 ppg on the season, while Phil Nelson is posting 11.3 ppg. The last time Portland State was in action the team only scored 64 points, but it was enough for the team to slide past Montana State. The Vikings shot 41.1 percent from the floor and were paced by Dominguez's 17 points. Waters added 12 points and five assists in the win, while Kyle Coston tallied 11 points.

Unlike their counterpart, the Eagles have been unable to soar to exciting heights offensively, as the team is producing just 63.5 ppg. Benny Valentine has been the only true scoring option as the guard is netting 15.4 ppg, to go along with a team-high 3.1 apg. Brandon Moore has been the top player in the paint for EWU, as the center is contributing 10.8 ppg and 6.6 rpg. The Eagles' woes offensively continued in their recent loss to Seattle, as the team shot just 36.0 percent en route to a four-point overtime loss. EWU made just 2- of-19 attempts from long range and committed 16 turnovers. Moore led the way with 13 points and seven rebounds, while Matthew Brunell tallied 12 points off the bench. As for Valentine, he made just 1-of-6 attempts from the floor, finishing the game with eight points.

The Vikings might not get the second seed in the conference tournament, but it will not be because they failed to grab a victory over Eastern Washington. Portland State should win this evening and will have to hope for help if the team is to earn a first-round bye.

Predicted Outcome

Portland State 74, Eastern Washington 62