PORTLAND- The University of Portland men’s basketball team had a lot to be thankful for over the recent holiday and downed the Seattle University Redhawks, 73-54 today at the Chiles Center. Portland continues a three-game win streak with the win, and improves to 3-1 on the season, while the Redhawks take home their first loss of the year and drop to 3-1 overall.

“It was an awkward game to play and choppy from the start,” Portland head coach Michael Holton said. “We have to give Seattle U. credit for taking control of the tempo early on and slowing our game style down. To our kid’s credit, I thought we played hard and they stayed focused down the stretch.”

Junior Darren Cooper came off the bench to lead the Pilots with 13 points and four assists on 4-of-7 shooting from the floor and 3-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc. Sophomore Dreshawn Vance recorded his first double-double of his young tenure with a career-best 14 boards and 12 points. Vance tore down six boards on the offensive glass and totaled two assists and one blocked shot in the game. Junior Pooh Jeter chipped in 11 points on 3-of-5 shooting from three-point range, along with four assists.

“It was exciting to get out there today and play back on our home court in front of our fans,” said Darren Cooper. “We were surprised by their intensity to start, but at the same time, we showed less effort in the first half. We came out in the second half and gave a good effort and our energy on the court was intense.”

Seattle U. took control of the tip, but the Pilots made a defensive stop and senior Karl Aaker got UP on the board with a long-range trey for a 3-0 Portland lead. The Pilots seemed somewhat sluggish to start, but got things going at the eight minute mark with a 10-2 run for a 27-18 lead. Nearing the end of the first half, Portland kicked it into gear and out-scored the Redhawks, 9-3, highlighted by a no look pass from Jeremiah Dominguez to Vance for the cram with five seconds left to go. Portland went into the break with a 36-24 halftime lead.

Cooper led Portland with eight points in the first half, as the Pilots shot an impressive 43 percent from long range. Portland’s bench contributed 21 points in the first half and the Pilots out rebounded the Redhawks 18 to 14.

In the second half, the Pilots came out with a lot more intensity as Jeter opened the scoring cutting through the lane with a one-handed floater for a 38-24 Portland lead. With 14:08 left in the game, Jeter threaded the needle across the lane to Vance for the dunk, 49-31 Portland. Back-to-back Cooper shots, along with an offensive putback by Vance gave Portland a 59-35 lead with just over nine minutes to go. Portland’s largest lead of the game (29 points) came on a Marcus Lewis post move to the basket from the top of the key with four minutes remaining. The Pilots would go on to win the game, 73-54.

Portland’s bench assisted with 40 points, while the Redhawks managed to produce 14. The Pilots out rebounded Seattle U, 42-36 and maintained a great presence in the paint, scoring 24 points, compared to SU’s eight. Portland forced 12 Redhawk turnovers in the game. As a team, the Pilots shot 46 percent (26-57) from the floor, 35 percent (10-29) from three-point range and 52 percent (11-21) from the stripe.

Bernard Seals led all players with 18 points and six rebounds. Andy Bloom added 11 points as the Redhawks shot 32 percent (18-57) from the field, 21 percent (5-24) from beyond the arc and 68 percent (13-19) from the free-throw line for the game.

The Pilots return to the Chiles Center on Monday, Nov. 29, taking on the Mustangs of Cal Poly at 7:00 p.m.