PORTLAND, Ore.- The University of Portland men’s basketball team controlled the tempo of the game right from the tip and defeated the San Francisco Dons, 77-63 on Sat., Jan. 17. Portland improves to 8-9 overall, 2-2 in WCC play, while USF falls to 10-9 on the year and 0-3 in the WCC.

“I thought we had more energy tonight,” said Head Coach Michael Holton. “We had the same game plan as we had against Saint Mary’s, but the Gaels just wore us down. Tonight, we had the energy and that made a big difference in the game.”

“I knew from the start they were going to pressure us, so we just had to be patient and run our offense,” said Pooh Jeter. “Last game we came out with very little energy, so we had to pick it up and play with more intensity. This was a big win because we didn’t want to be 1-3 in the WCC. We have to think with a winning attitude and play together every game.”

Portland held an edge the entire first half and led by as much as 19 points. The Pilots controlled the tip and senior Adam Quick took charge right from the get-go with a six-footer fade-away jumper at 19:24. The Pilots quickly added points on the board in a fast-paced, up-tempo game. At the 13-minute mark, Pooh Jeter threaded-the-needle to freshman Dreshawn Vance for an easy lay-in.

“When Pooh comes down the floor, you always have to have your hands ready because he will see that you’re open, even if you don’t realize it,” said Dreshawn Vance.

Vance tallied seven points in the first half alone, one-point shy of tying his career-best.

Near the 10-minute mark, Jeter stole the ball from USF’s Dommanic Ingerson and went coast-to-coast. But instead of taking it to the hole, he made a pass back to teammate Patrick Galos who put it up and in for a one-handed cram. The Pilots then took a 27-12 lead with eight minutes left in the half on a 5-footer by Galos. He racked up seven points in six minutes of play during the first half. Portland extended its lead to 17 points when USF’s James Bayless turned the ball over, and this time Jeter took it to the hole and was fouled, executing a three-point play the old fashioned way. The Pilots took their biggest lead of the half on a made free-throw by Vance with just over three minutes to go. USF cut Portland’s lead down to 13, but the Pilots went into the lockerroom with a 38-25 lead.

Portland shot 58 percent (15-26) from the field, a perfect 3-of-3 from three-point range and 5-of-10 from the stripe before the break. Portland racked up 22 points off USF turnovers, but was edged on the boards, 12-11. The Dons shot 50 percent (10-20) from the floor, 40 percent (2-5) from behind the arc and managed just 43 percent (3-7) from the free-throw line.

“An interesting note about tonight’s game is that both teams shot around 50 percent, but our energy and the fact that USF turned the ball over 26 times made the difference,” said Holton.

To open Portland’s scoring in the second half, Jeter fed the ball to Donald Wilson for another dunk at the 17:20 mark. The Pilots extended the lead to 22 points on a trey by Jeter with just over 13 minutes left in the game. The biggest lead of the night came on a buzzer beating three-pointer by Jeter for a 23-point Pilot lead.

San Francisco made an 8-2 run down the stretch on consecutive three-pointers by Tyrone Riley. The Dons used a full court press to force a few Pilot turnovers, but Portland kept its composure and continued to drive to the basket, recording a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line in the last two mnutes of play. Riley scored the last points of the game for either team, but the Pilots recorded the 14-point win. Portland never trailed in the game.

“From the beginning we wanted to win, so we played with that metality the whole game,” said Vance. “As a freshman, it is a real learing experience and all the older players and coaches are pushing me everyday, so as the season goes on, I can only get better.”

For the game, the Pilots shot a season-best 57 percent (28-49) from the field and a season-high 83 percent (5-6) from three-point range on the night. Portland hit 16-of-22 free-throws and racked-up an impressive 41 points off San Francisco turnovers. USF held the advantage off points in the paint (32-14) and from its bench (22-15), but the Pilots scored 18 fast break points, compared to USF’s two. Portland was out-rebounded 26-20, but played a complete game as five players recorded double-figure scoring.

Leading the way once again was Jeter with 19 points, five assists and a season-best three steals. Wilson totaled 14 points and three rebounds, while Vance ended the night with a career-best 13 points, three boards and a career-high three steals. Adam Quick and Patrick Galos each scored 10 points for the Pilots.

“When USF stepped up its game we were able to respond,” said Holton. “We kept our composure and stayed with our game plan. We didn’t melt down under their pressure.”

Leading USF was Riley with 19 points and six rebounds. No other San Francisco player recorded double-figures in the game. As a team, the Dons shot 24-of-45 (53 percent) from the floor, 9-of-17 (53 percent) from three-point srange and just 6-of-11 (55 percent) from the stripe.

Portland is back at home on Fri., Jan. 23, facing the Gonzaga Bulldogs for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off at the Chiles Center (Fox Sports Net).