Freshman Jamie Jones sets career-highs with 10 rebounds and six blocked shots off the bench

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Loyola Marymount University celebrated senior night Monday at Gersten Pavilion, but it was a freshman on the University of Portland roster who had a coming out party. Forward Jamie Jones collected 10 rebounds and blocked six shots, including four in the closing minutes, as the Pilots held on for a 71-59 victory over the Lions.

Portland senior point guard Pooh Jeter scored a game-high 26 points in his final outing in front of his hometown fans. Jeter, a native of Gardena, Calif. and Junipero Serra HS, overcame a slow start and put up 20 second-half points to lead the Pilots surge. Fellow senior and Los Angeles native Donald Wilson had a typically productive game with eight points, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals. Guard Darren Cooper added 22 points for the Pilots.

LMU junior forward Matthew Knight led the Lions with 24 points and 15 rebounds, but no other LMU player reached double figures.

Portland held the Lions (11-15, 8-4 West Coast Conference) to 33 percent shooting on the night, including just 27 percent in the second half. The Pilots (10-16, 4-8 WCC) outscored LMU 48-28 in the second period and finished at 40 percent shooting for the game.

LMU entered the night second in the WCC standings, trailing only fifth-ranked Gonzaga. Portland earned its second consecutive road win following an 81-76 victory at Pepperdine on Saturday. Monday’s win marked the first time the Pilots have swept a WCC weekend road series since opening the 2000-01 season with wins at Saint Mary’s and San Francisco.

“This was a very solid effort against a good team on the road,” said Pilots head coach Michael Holton. “I think the second half was one of the best 20 minute stretches we’ve had all year. Jamie Jones gave us a huge contribution off the bench.”

Jones did most of his damage in the closing minutes, igniting UP fast breaks with blocks and rebounds on the defensive end. Jones blocked four shots in the final three minutes as the game was still tight. Two blocks came in one-on-one situations with Knight, an All-WCC performer last year and the Lions’ leading scorer.

Jeter and Cooper provided the offensive punch down the stretch, combining for 35 second-half points. Jeter drained three consecutive NBA-range three-pointers, beginning at the 10:37 mark of the second period. The shot gave UP its largest lead at that time of 45-40. Following a pair of free throws by freshman forward Alex Tiefenthaler, Jeter again dialed it up from long distance to give UP at 50-40 lead.

Three minutes later, Jeter pulled up from just beyond the NBA line and found the bottom of the net again for a 60-49 advantage. He flashed a smile to a large contingent of friends and family on his way back on defense and the Pilots went on for a crucial win.

“I was proud of our seniors, for them to play how they did in their last game in Los Angeles,” Holton said. In many respects, it was senior night for Pooh and Donald. We have lots of connections to this area on our roster, so it was rewarding to play well in front of familiar faces.”

LMU would not roll over down the stretch, pulling within five at 62-57 with 2:59 remaining on a three-point play by Knight. Jeter answered with two free throws but LMU countered with a lay-up from Brandon Worthy.

The Lions earned a defensive stop and found Chris Ayer on the right post on offense. Ayer’s five-foot jumper was rejected by Jones. LMU retained possession, called a timeout and set up a play to isolate Knight. With only Jones to beat, Knight took the pass in the paint and tried a fade-away jumper that Jones immediately sent back. Wes Wardrop collected the loose ball, but his three-pointer bounced off rim and Tiefenthaler collected the rebound and was fouled with 1:01 remaining. The Pilots made 7 of 8 free throws in the final minute to clinch the victory.

The first half was a see-saw battle featuring five ties and seven lead changes before LMU closed the period with a 7-0 run and a 31-23 lead at the break. Portland retook the lead for the first time following consecutive three-point plays by Cooper and Jeter, the latter making it 41-40 with 11:34 remaining.

The win maintained Portland’s hopes for the chance at a fourth-place finish and potential first round bye in the WCC Tournament. San Francisco and San Diego entered the day tied for third-place in the league standings at 6-5, but both lost on Monday, leaving Portland trailing both USF, USD and Saint Mary's by two games with two remaining.

Portland closes the regular season by hosting both USF and USD this weekend at the Chiles Center. It will be the last chance for fans to see UP seniors Pooh Jeter, Donald Wilson and Darren Cooper. UP and USF meet at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25, while the Pilots and Toreros tip at 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 27. The games can be heard on 1550 KKAD-AM or via the web at portlandpilots.com.