GAME NOTES: The Portland State Vikings will welcome the SIU Edwardsville Cougars to the Stott Center on Monday night for a non-conference clash.

SIUE began its road trip to the City of Roses on Saturday night with a loss to Portland, 75-53. The Cougars have dropped two straight since winning their season opener at home against Harris-Stowe (104-56), and it has gone just 3-26 on the road since the start of the 2012-13 season.

Portland State hasn't been very active in the early going this season with just two games, but it has come out victorious in both matchups. After a strong road win at USC on Nov. 15 (76-68), the Vikings won their home opener versus Willamette on Nov. 18, 84-63.

The Vikings downed the Cougars in Portland last season, 77-74, in the only previous meeting between the programs.

The Cougars put together a lackluster performance in their most recent game, as they got down 46-28 at the half and never sniffed the lead in the second stanza on their way to an 18-point setback. They shot a mere 39.3 percent from the field in the setback, which included a 4-of-19 showing from 3-point range, while getting dominated on the glass by losing the rebounding battle, 44-28. Keaton Jackson was one of the few bright spots with 13 points on 6-of-8 from the field. Keenan Simmons and C.J. Carr took advantage of extended playing time off the bench with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

SIUE's latest effort aside, it has performed admirably on the offensive end of the court this season, shooting just shy of 44 percent from the field for 76.0 ppg, which has been strong enough to support a solid scoring defense (68.3 ppg). Donivine Stewart shoots only 36.7 percent from the field (including 31.2 percent from 3-point range), but he generates enough volume to net 16.7 ppg while also finding time to hand out 5.7 apg. Kris Davis brings 11.3 ppg to the table and Michael Messer (10.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg) shoots above 57 percent from both the field overall and beyond the arc.

The Vikings did what was expected of them against Division III Willamette in their latest contest, and they shot 54.4 percent from the field (including 8- of-14 from 3-point distance) while forcing Willamette into more turnovers (23) than field goals (22) in the 21-point victory. Bryce White led the way with 19 points while also contributing six rebounds and five assists. Tim Douglas scored 15 points on a perfect 6-of-6 field-goal shooting night, Braxton Tucker tallied a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds and DaShaun Wiggins also netted 12.

Although its sample size is smaller than most teams', Portland State has nonetheless been impressive on both ends of the floor this season with a +14.5 scoring margin, and it has forced 23 turnovers per game, while committing just 11.5 miscues per outing itself. White paces the balanced squad with 16.5 ppg. Douglas (14.5 ppg) has knocked down 7-of-9 long-distance tries, Tucker (14.0 ppg, 7.5 rpg) is a mainstay in the paint, and Tiegbe Bamba (12.5 ppg) and Wiggins (11.0 ppg) are also off the stellar starts.

Defending its home floor against an SIUE squad that has had almost no success on the road in recent seasons, Portland State should find no trouble moving to 3-0.