Playing without leading scorer Darren Cooper, Pilots get a big lift from newcomers in 86-63 win

PORTLAND, Ore. --- Sophomore Walter Thompson (pictured) scored a game-high 20 points in his University of Portland debut as the Pilots defeated the Concordia Cavaliers 86-63 in an exhibition game Thursday night at the Chiles Center. An announced crowd of 1,254 came out to The Bluff to see the inaugural game under first-year Portland head coach Eric Reveno.

Reveno wanted the Pilots to focus on defense and rebounding and his team responded by holding Concordia to 37 percent shooting and outrebounding the NAIA Cavaliers by a 50-20 margin. Portland shot 53 percent from the field for the game.

Turnovers kept the game close until midway through the second half, when Portland used 13-3 run to break a 48-48 tie and cruise to victory. For the game, the Pilots committed 27 turnovers and forced Concordia into 20.

“For where we are right now there is a lot to be pleased about,” Reveno said. “For where we want to go, tonight gave us a good idea of what we need to work on.  We need to focus on the things that will make this team better, and it starts with taking care of the ball.”

Concordia set the tone early with full court pressure defense that gave the Pilots fits. The Cavaliers jumped out to a 7-2 lead and forced five Pilot turnovers in the first five minutes. Thompson kept the pace for the Pilots by knocking down three first-half three-pointers, including a pair on consecutive possessions to give Portland a 21-19 lead.

Senior Eric Cohen answered with a three on the other end to give the Cavs a one-point lead, but Portland used a 14-2 run, capped by a three-point play from redshirt freshman Parker Emerson, to gain the biggest lead of the half at 35-24 with 6:49 remaining.

The resilient Cavaliers fought back and closed the gap to 37-32 at the break on a four-point play by Cohen with three seconds on the clock.

The teams went back and forth after intermission, before a trio of Portland newcomers ignited the game deciding run. With the Pilots leading 50-48, freshman point guard Taishi Ito grabbed a defensive rebound and led Thompson with a perfect bounce pass through traffic from midcourt for an uncontested layup. Emerson, a transfer from Wyoming, then drilled a baseline jumper followed by an Ito steal and easy layup by Thompson on the break. Emerson followed with a three-pointer from the corner, again assisted by Ito.

A native of Mie Japan, Ito finished the game with seven assists and one turnover. Emerson added eight points and three rebounds off the bench. Thompson shot 8-for-12 from the field and 4-for-7 from the three point line.

“We are going to lean on Walter for his scoring ability,” Reveno said. “We’re asking him do what he is capable of doing offensively within the framework of our team, and that is taking good shots and scoring the ball.” 

Thompson’s scoring was at a premium as Portland played a majority of the game without senior guard Darren Cooper, the leading returning scorer for the Pilots. Cooper had knee surgery in the offseason and is getting eased back into the rotation. He did make an appearance and played the final three minutes of regulation.

The Pilots were also without freshman Robin Smeulders, who has been declared ineligible by the NCAA and will have to sit out the 2006-07 season, as well as sophomore Alex Tiefenthaler who was suspended for a violation of team rules.

Portland now prepares for the regular season opener next weekend at the Oregon Rain Invitational in Corvallis, Ore. The Pilots open the tournament against the host Oregon State Beavers on Friday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. Portland will face Cal Poly on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and finish the weekend against Southeastern Louisiana on Sunday at 11 a.m.