Tuesday, November 18th, 10:05 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Stott Center (1,500) -- Portland, Oregon. Television: None. Home Record: Portland 1-0, Portland St. 0-0. Away Record: Portland 0-0, Portland St. 1-0. Neutral Record: Portland 0-0, Portland St. 0-0. Conference Record: Portland 0-0, Portland St. 0-0. Series Record: Portland leads, 31-15.

GAME NOTES: Portland will be the center of a cross-city rivalry, as the University of Portland Pilots take on the Portland State Vikings at the Stott Center in a non-conference showdown. The Pilots opened their campaign with a hard-fought, 80-74 victory over the Washington Huskies. Portland's win is a step in the right direction for a team that collected just nine wins this past season. As for the Vikings, they opened their season on the road, but that did not stop Portland State from collecting a thrilling, 78-74 victory over the Rice Owls. The Vikings enter this season with plenty of confidence after winning 23 games this past season. The success for Portland State led to a Big Sky title and the team's first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament. With respects to the all-time series, the Pilots have dominated the Vikings, winning 31 of the 46 matchups.

The Pilots were impressive in their season-opener against Washington, defeating the Pac-10 opponent by four points. Portland allowed the Huskies to shoot 45.6 percent from the floor, but limited the team to just 3-of-16 from behind the arc and forced the Huskies into 23 turnovers. Offensively all five starters scored in double figures, beginning with Robin Smeulders, who scored 20 points to go along with six rebounds. Nik Raivio, who averaged 12.6 ppg this past season, added 19 points and seven rebounds in the win, while Ethan Niedermeyer contributed 14 points. Kramer Knutson and T.J. Campbell both chipped in 10 points apiece, while Campbell also dished out a team-best five assists.

The Vikings also enjoyed success in their opener, as the team used a strong second half, en route to a four-point win over Rice. Portland State shot 45.9 percent from the floor, and although the team was just 13-of-23 from the foul line, the team won the battle on the glass by 11 rebounds and committed just six turnovers. Jeremiah Dominguez, the Big Sky Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year this past season, erupted in the win over Rice, scoring 24 points to go along with four assists. Dominic Waters added 18 points off the bench, while Jamie Jones posted a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Unfortunately the rest of the team totaled just 23 points in the contest.

This should be a close battle between two similar squads, but the one difference between these two schools is Dominguez. The guard is a terrific player and should lead the Vikings to a strong win at home.

Predicted Outcome

Portland State 70, Portland 66