SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Darren Cooper - a game-time decision because of a strained right shoulder - scored a game-high 23 points, but his potential game-tying, off-balance three-pointer rimmed out in the closing seconds as No. 7 seed Portland fell to No. 6 seed San Francisco 65-60 in the opening round of the West Coast Conference Tournament at the Leavey Center Friday night.
Portland (15-15) was eliminated in the first round for the ninth consecutive season, while San Francisco (16-12) survives and will face host and third-seeded Santa Clara on Saturday night.
USF senior Tyrone Riley continued his stellar play against the Pilots finishing with 22 points and eight rebounds. In two regular-season wins over Portland, Riley averaged 20.5 points and 9.0 boards. More importantly, Riley hit critical threes late in both games to give the Dons victories.
On Friday, it was Cooper who was primed to be the late-game hero. With the Pilots trailing 58-52 with less than two minutes remaining, the Portland junior converted a step-back three-pointer and was fouled. After knocking down the ensuing free-throw, he stole the ball and made two more from the stripe to tie the game at 58-58.
Johnny Dukes slipped behind the UP zone defense for an easy layup with 1:37 left and USF leading scorer John Cox went to the line on the next possession on handcheck foul call. Cox made both free-throws to put USF up four with 49 seconds on the clock. Cooper again drove the lane scored on a goaltending call making it 62-60.
Portland’s pressure defense allowed USF into a two-on-one fast break, but Cox was unable to finish a lob pass and the Pilots had the ball with less than 20 ticks left. Freshman Jeremiah Dominguez’s no look pass to Ben Sullivan went through the big man’s hands and USF was immediately fouled.
Riley made one-of-two setting up Cooper’s final attempt from the top of the key which went off of the back and front of the rim before dashing Portland’s hopes. USF made two more from the line to make it a 65-60 final.
Joining Cooper in double figures for Portland was Donald Wilson and Ben Sullivan with 13 points each. Dukes added 15 points and seven rebounds for the Dons.
Portland gained a 36-28 edge on the boards, but shot just 38 percent for the game. USF committed just 11 turnovers and knocked down 18-of-20 from the foul line.
Cooper and Wilson each hit a pair of critical three-pointers during a 16-5 run midway through the second half, the last by Cooper giving Portland a 44-37 lead. USF responded with a 21-6 spurt, putting the clamps down defensively on Portland’s half-court offense. Riley led the charge with 14 second-half points and Dukes added 10 after the break. Cooper tallied 18 points over the final 20 minutes to lead Portland.
Both teams struggled to score early as San Francisco took a 26-24 lead into halftime. Portland overcame 33 percent first-half shooting by gaining a 20-13 rebounding margin and not allowing USF an offensive rebound in the half. Cooper, put the Pilots on top 20-18 with a pair of free-throws and a driving three-point play with less than six minutes remaining in the half. Dukes matched Cooper with five consecutive points to close the half for the Dons.
Portland leading scorer Pooh Jeter was held to six points on 2-of-11 shooting, while Cox finished with nine points on 3-of-11 from the field for USF.
Seniors Andreas Gahlmann and Karl Aaker played their final game for the Pilots. Gahlmann finished with two points and two rebounds, while Aaker grabbed four boards in 22 minutes off the bench.
