Head coach Eric Reveno gets his first win, despite missing key players

PORTLAND, Ore. --- Junior Sherrard Watson (pictured) scored a career-high 20 points, while senior Ben Sullivan added 12 points and 14 rebounds as the Portland Pilots beat the Montana State Bobcats 59-53 Friday night at the Chiles Center.

Playing just eight players after having his roster depleted by injuries, head coach Eric Reveno earned the first win of his career, but not before a nail-biting finish in front of 1,926 fans.

Portland (1-3) gained its largest lead of the game at 45-34 on a layup by Watson with 10:40 to play, but Montana State (0-3) clawed back as junior guard Carlos Taylor drilled five consecutive three-pointers to spark an 18-6 run and give the Bobcats a 52-51 lead with 2:51 remaining. Taylor, who scored 16 of his team-high 19 points in the second half, was called for his fifth foul at the 5:00 mark and was disqualified. Watson drew the charge as Taylor penetrated to the hoop in transition.

Watson then converted a layup to regain the lead at 53-52 and Sullivan iced the game with four clutch free throws in the final minute.

The Pilots held the Bobcats without a field goal for the final 5:59 of regulation and forced MSU into 33.3 percent shooting on the night.

“I was pleased with our response to their run in the second half,” Reveno said. “They battled back and regained the lead, but we hung in there and did enough to win at the end.”

Portland gained a 36-34 edge in rebounding, but allowed 18 offensive rebounds to the Bobcats, something Reveno described as “unacceptable.”

“Fatigue was probably a factor,” he added.

The Pilots shot 42 percent from the field and made 10 of 11 free throw attempts. Portland committed 15 turnovers and forced MSU into 13.

Watson, whose previous career-high was six points, shot 9-for-14 from the field and grabbed five rebounds.

“He’s been having practices where he does that,” Reveno said, referring to Watson’s offensive production. “Last weekend he didn’t play particularly well, but it wasn’t a huge surprise with how well he shot the ball today.”

Sullivan’s 14 rebounds also established a career-high and it marked the second double-double of his career. He filled out the rest of the box score with four assists, two blocked shots and two steals in 36 minutes.

Taylor finished 6-for-7 from the three point line and did his damage in just 16 minutes of action. Senior Ted Morris added nine points and 11 boards for the Bobcats.

Portland was missing senior guard Darren Cooper (hamstring) for the second game in a row and does not expect to have him available on Sunday. Freshman guard Taishi Ito (family illness) and senior forward Chris Jackson (ill) were also unavailable.

Portland will next host the UC Davis Aggies (0-3) at the Chiles Center on Sunday at 2 p.m. before embarking on a three-game road trip starting at Brigham Young on Wednesday.