PORTLAND, Ore. - University of Portland freshman guard Jeremiah Dominguez led four Pilots in double-figures with 21 points in a 93-65 win over Cal Poly Monday night at the Chiles Center. Darren Cooper tied a season-high with 16 points for Portland (4-1), while Pooh Jeter added 15 and Dreshawn Vance tallied his second consecutive double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Cal Poly (0-3) dropped its third straight game to begin the season after committing 29 turnovers.

“This was our best 40 minute game in terms of energy and execution from start to finish,” Portland head coach Michael Holton said. “We have been trying to limit turnovers and work the shot clock down in the half court set instead of quick-shooting. As a result, we were able to draw some fouls and create more opportunities.”

Portland carried a comfortable 40-21 lead into halftime as Cooper and Dominquez ignited an explosive first 20 minutes. Cooper, making his first start in a Pilot uniform, capped a 14-6 run with a fast break lay-in and two free-throws to give UP a 32-11 lead early. Dominguez hit a three-pointer and two jumpers during the run. Vance set the tone on the boards with seven first-half rebounds, including a pair of putbacks.

The Mustangs cut the lead down to 13 on a lay-up and three-pointer from Glenn Jones three minutes after the break, but the Pilots answered with an 8-0 run capped by another Dominguez trey on an assist from Jeter. The 5-foot, 6-inch Dominguez and 5-foot, 10-inch Jeter played together for extended minutes in the game and caused problems at both ends of the floor for Cal Poly.

“We are the smallest backcourt with the biggest hearts,” said Jeter. “We like playing together because we can get up and down the court and play our style.”

“The team opened up a lot of shots with better execution,” said Dominguez after going 8-for-12 from the field and 3-of-5 from three-point range. “The shots were open and I wasn’t forcing it. I’m just trying to play my role on this team and today I was able to score.”

The Pilots shot 46.7 percent for the game and racked up 14 steals and 17 assists. The Mustangs shot 39 percent and had just seven assists. Portland attempted 26 more shots than Cal Poly in the game (75-59).

UP turned the Mustangs’ 29 turnovers into 32 points and got 48 points from the bench to Cal Poly’s 26. Mike Titchenal led the Mustangs with 13 points, while Derek Stockalper added 11 points and nine rebounds.

The Pilots now embark on a four-game road trip beginning at Oregon State on Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. Portland will then face crosstown rival Portland State on Saturday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m.