STATS I VIDEO REPLAY I TOUR BLOG

LEICESTER, England – For the second time on the Portland Pilots current foreign tour a game was decided at the buzzer. This time the Pilots were on the losing end as the host Leicester Riders overcame a 15-point second half deficit to convert a layup at the buzzer for an 80-79 victory over the Pilots Thursday night at the Leicester Arena.

Portland previously defeated the Newcastle Eagles on a buzzer beater Tuesday night.

The Riders, winners of both the regular season and British Basketball League tournament title last season, featured a mixed roster of returners, new professional signees, and development players as they prepare for their championship defense.

Freshman guard Marcus Shaver Jr. led the Pilots with 18 points, while sophomore Franklin Porter added 15 points. Senior center Philipp Hartwich had a game-high 15 rebounds.

Portland, which trailed by as much 14 points in the first quarter, saw a 15-point second half lead evaporate late. The Riders made a pair of free throws with 30 seconds left to pull within one and then forced a five-second violation on the ensuing inbounds. Leicester then tied the game 78-78 by converting one of two free throws.

Shaver Jr. drove the lane and drew a foul on the other end and made one of two at the line to give Portland a 79-78 lead. The Riders missed their initial shot, but had 0.6 seconds left in regulation with the ball under the basket. Out of a timeout, Leicester executed their play to perfection and Kiefer Douse made the layup as time expired.

The Riders took advantage of early Pilot turnovers to jump out to a 27-13 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Portland exploded at the end of the first half to gain a 41-39 halftime lead. The momentum carried forward as the Pilots extended the margin to behind a barrage of jumpers including back-to-back threes from Franklin Porter and Josh McSwiggan. Marcus Shaver Jr. added a pair of jumpers as well as Portland's largest lead was 54-39.

The Pilots shot 46 percent from the field and made 11-of-21 three-pointers for the game. Leicester finished at 37 percent overall, but made 16-of-23 free throws compared to just 4-of-10 for the Pilots.

Portland outrebounded Leicester by a 48-42 margin, but committed 17 turnovers while forcing just 13.

Portland will look to improve to 3-1 on the tour when it takes on Barking Abbey Basketball Academy on Saturday in London.

Fans can follow the Pilots on the foreign tour by visiting PortlandPilots.com/LondonTour.