PORTLAND – A 16-0 run in the first half gave the Gonzaga Bulldogs the separation needed to complete the season series sweep of Portland and claim an 84-68 win tonight at the Chiles Center. Led by Adam Morrison’s 22 points, Gonzaga (22-4, 13-2 WCC) will enter the WCC Tournament as the No. 1 seed and earn byes through the first two rounds of the tournament. Portland (15-14, 4-10 WCC) was led by Darren Cooper’s 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting from the floor.

“It was a tough game,” said head coach Michael Holton. “We were pleased to play in a packed house at home. We were pleased to play on national television. I thought we competed well and played hard. I believe the difference in the game was in the first half when Gonzaga had a 16-0 run. We had to play catch up, which is hard to do against a team of this caliber. I thought we played good defense, but they interrupted our rhythm in terms of getting quality shots a little better than I thought they would. In the second half, we stepped up our defense, we scrapped and we gave ourselves lots of opportunities. I was pleased with this effort especially as we go into the conference tournament. I think that it is important for our team to not fold, to believe, to play with confidence, to scrap and claw, and I thought we did those things. Clearly, they were a better basketball team tonight. They kept their composure when we pressed and trapped; they showed why they are at the top of the league. It was an intense basketball game and both teams played hard.”

The Pilots will enter the WCC Tournament next week as the seventh seed and will face the No. 6 seed (either San Francisco or Pepperdine). Portland has lost five of their last six games, while the Zags claim their fifth-straight WCC regular-season title.

A close second half gave the Zags just a three points edge (46-43) and the Pilots held a 34-24 advantage off points in the paint and an 18-14 break off Gonzaga turnovers. The Pilot bench also assisted with 17 points in the game. Gonzaga was superior in gaining second chance opportunities (16-10) for the game, but was held to just one offensive putback in the second half.

Portland saw three players score in double-figures on the night. Along with Cooper’s 20 points, Pooh Jeter managed 13 points and was a perfect 5-of-5 from the stripe, while Ben Sullivan finished with 10 points on the night. Senior Andreas Gahlmann went out on senior night with a career-best and team leading nine rebounds. The Pilots shot 43 percent (27-63) from the floor, 25 percent (4-16) from three-point range and 77 percent (10-13) from the stripe for the game.

Three other Gonzaga players scored double-figures in the game. Ronny Turiaf’s 14 points and 11 rebounds gave him his 24th career double-double and 10th this year. J.P. Batista added 13 points and Derek Raivio chipped in 12 points on the night. Gonzaga’s 11 blocked shots tied a school record as the Zags shot 50 percent (26-52) from the field, 33 percent (5-15) from three-point range and 79 percent (27-34) from the free-throw line.

After Portland was up 19-18 with just over eight minutes to play in the first half, the Zags put on a shooting clinic with a 16-0 run though the next five minutes of play for a 34-19 lead. Second chance points were the difference for the Bulldogs as they racked up 14 points on offensive putbacks. Portland closed out the half with a 6-4 run, but Gonzaga went into the lockerroom with a 38-25 halftime lead.

For the half, Portland shot 32 percent (10-31) from the field and 22 percent (2-9) from long range. The Pilots connected on 75 percent (3-4) at the stripe, but had just four attempts, compared to Gonzaga’s 6-of-10 from the free-throw line. Gonzaga shot a solid 50 percent (15-30) from the floor and 33 percent from three-point range for the half. The Zags almost doubled up the Pilots in rebounding, 24-14 for the half.

Gahlmann led Portland in the first half with six points and four boards, while Morrison led all scorers with 14 points.

The University of Portland will travel to Santa Clara, Calif. to compete in the West Coast Conference men’s basketball tournament, on Mar. 4-7.