PORTLAND – Junior guard Pooh Jeter’s buzzer beater attempt did not fall as the University of Portland men’s basketball team lost a 55-54 heartbreaker to the Washington State Cougars today at the Chiles Center. With the loss, Portland ends its win streak and falls to 7-3 on the season. Washington State improves to 5-3 overall.

“It was a game that could have gone either way,” said Head coach Michael Holton. “We had many chances throughout the game, but we just could not get it done. You have to give Washington State credit. They executed their plays. To our credit, our guys worked hard, they competed and were committed to this game, I just thought we came up short.”

Jeter led the team with a game-high 17 points on 7-of-14 shooting from the floor. Donald Wilson chipped in 10 points and led Portland with eight rebounds. WSU had three players in double-digits as Thomas Kelati led the way with 17. Jeff Varem added 11 points and nine boards, while teammate Derrick Low contributed 10 points.

Washington State came out and extended its lead to eight in the first eight minutes of the second half, but back-to-back-to-back three-pointers by Jeter put the Pilots up by one, 45-44 with 8:46 remaining. WSU’s Varem tied the game at 46 with 4:06 left, but Jeter pulled up and knocked down an eight footer to retake the lead. On the next possession freshman Jeremiah Dominguez stole the ball from WSU’s Kelati and then went in for a lay-up. Dominguez was hammered underneath and converted two freebies to give the Pilots its largest lead of the night, 52-48.

With just over a minute to play, WSU freshman Robbie Cowgill drained a 10-footer from the free-throw line, tying the game at 53. After a missed three-point attempt by the Pilots, Cowgill had another attempt at the basket and this time, he was fouled. Cowgill converted both free-throws, giving WSU a 55-53 advantage with just 48 ticks left on the clock. On the next play, freshman Marcus Lewis was fouled under the basket and would go to the line. Lewis, a 34 percent free-throw shooter, converted one of the two free-throws, and a missed opportunity at the other end of the floor allowed Portland a final shot at the game. As time expired, Jeter launched a three-pointer from near the coaching box. The ball hit the rim and looked like it was going in, but didn’t and Portland lost the game, 55-54.

“This game had the swings that makes basketball exciting,” said Washington State head coach Dick Bennett. “I am very impressed by Portland. They rebounded the ball well and they kept us off the glass. They had great perimeter play with Jeter up at the top. Their pressure kept us off balance all night. We did a good job handling the ball while receiving pressure. Most of our turnovers came in our half court sets. It was a good game and I am thankful that we won.”

For the game, Portland shot 46 percent (21-46) from the field, 33 percent (5-15) from three-point range and just 50 percent (7-14) from the stripe. WSU’s numbers were close to the Pilots, shooting 45 percent (21-47) from the floor, 41 percent (7-17) from long range and 67 percent (6-9) from the free-throw line. Portland held the advantage on the boards, 29-27, in the paint, 26-18, and on points from WSU turnovers, 14-9.

The opening tip was a battle as the ball went out of bounds and off the Pilots, giving the Cougars the first chance for a score. Jeter made a quick steal with 19:31 on the clock and led the Pilot break. Darren Cooper was running with Jeter and made a nice cut to the basket for a reverse lay in, giving Portland the first points of the game. Both teams fought to control the tempo early on, the Cougars trying to slow things into a halfcourt game, while the Pilots were eager to run the floor. Needless to say, the score went back-and-forth all the way until halftime, but WSU held a slight advantage, a 29-27 lead at the break.

In the first half, the Pilots outshot the Cougars, 50 percent to 40 percent from the floor, but WSU’s long range game was hot as the Cougars connected on 5-of-12 attempts, compared to Portland’s 1-of-5 makes. Portland was tough on the boards and grabbed 16, while WSU managed 11. Much of Portland’s points came down low, outscoring the Cougars, 18-6 off points in the paint in the first half.

The Pilots will take on the Winthrop Eagles on Monday night at the Chiles Center. Tip off is set for 7:00 p.m.