• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Gonzaga can extend home winning streak to 44 straight

Nov 30, 2006 - 1:47 PM Portland St (4-2) at No. 21 Gonzaga (6-1) 8:00 pm EST

SPOKANE, Washington (Ticker) - Derek Raivio and Gonzaga continue to take advantage of all the comforts of home.

Raivio looks to lead the 21st-ranked Bulldogs to their 44th consecutive home victory - the nation's longest active Division I streak - Thursday when they host Portland State.

Gonzaga has won all 31 games at the McCarthey Athletic Center since it opened for the start of the 2004-05 campaign. The Bulldogs also have captured their last 49 contests in Spokane dating to February 19, 2003.

A 6-3 senior, Raivio is hitting nearly 44 percent (17-of-39) of his 3-pointers and leads the team in scoring (18.7). He has been the Bulldogs top scorer in each of the last five contests and has reached the 20-point mark in the past four games.

After having its 21-game regular-season winning streak halted by Butler in the final of the NIT Season Tip-Off on Friday, Gonzaga bounced back with Sunday's 76-51 victory over Idaho.

Raivio scored a season-high 24 points and Josh Heytvelt added 16 with 11 rebounds for the Bulldogs, who committed just nine turnovers.

Portland State opened by dropping two of its first three games before winning three in a row, including Monday's 69-53 triumph over Portland. Juma Kamara scored 17 points, Scott Morrison had 15 and Deonte Huff 10 for the Vikings.

Gonzaga has won the last nine encounters against Portland State since December 28, 1976, and leads the all-time series, 17-6.