Box Score Radio Highlights (MP3)Video Highlights, InterviewsWintering, Bailey Lead Pilots to Thrilling Road Comeback at San Jose StateSAN JOSE, Calif. – Alec Wintering and Kevin Bailey combined for 46 points as the Portland Pilots overcame a 13-point deficit midway through the second half and defeated the San Jose State Spartans, 73-68, in overtime on Sunday afternoon at The Event Center.
Senior forward Volodymyr Gerun also stepped up with his first career double-double and hit the game-tying jumper with 23 seconds left in regulation to force overtime.
Wintering, a sophomore point guard, finished with career highs of 24 points and six steals for the Pilots (2-0). He was 7-of-11 from the field, 4-of-4 from three-point range, and 6-of-6 from the free throw line.
Bailey Scored 22 points for the second straight game and was the key scorer during Portland's comeback. The senior from Clovis, Calif. tallied 15 points during a 18-5 comeback that saw the Pilots erase a 50-37 deficit with 10:41 left in the game. His long three-pointer tied it at 55-55 with 3:15 remaining.
Wintering then gave the Pilots their first lead since early in the game with a driving layup to make it 57-55.
SJSU's Jordan Baker missed two free throws with 54 seconds left, but Frank Rogers got the offensive rebound and converted a three-point play to put the Spartans (1-1) up 62-60. Gerun then hit a baseline jumper with 23 ticks left to tie the game and Wintering stole the ball at the other end of the court just before time expired.
The Spartans took an early four-point lead in overtime, but Wintering and junior guard Bryce Pressley made back-to-back layups to put the Pilots up 67-66. The Pilots made six straight free throws in the final minute – four from Wintering – to secure the win.
Gerun finished with career bests of 13 points and 10 rebound in 41 minutes of action. Bailey added six assists and zero turnovers in his 41 minutes of play. Senior center Riley Barker also provided a boost off the bench with seven rebounds, four steals and big basket towards the end of regulation – his only field goal of the game.
The Spartans held Portland in check throughout the first half and went into the locker room leading 37-26 at the half. Baker led four SJSU players in double figures with 17 points, while Rogers added 16.
Portland made 7-of-14 three pointers and 20-of-27 free throws, while SJSU was just 6-for-20 from beyond the arc and 14-of-24 at the charity stripe. The Pilots shot 37 percent from the field compared to 41 percent for the Spartans.
The Spartans had just 10 assists and committed 17 turnovers, while Portland finished with 18 assists and 11 giveaways.
Portland will now return to the Chiles Center for a Saturday matchup with the SIU-Edwardsville Cougars. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. with pregame radio coverage on Sports 910 (KMTT) at 6:30 p.m. Live video will also be provided on PortlandPilots.com.
