Box Score
PORTLAND, Ore. --- Portland sophomore Jessica Clemens scored a career-high 17 points as the Pilots held off the Idaho Vandals 48-44 on Sunday afternoon at the Chiles Center. Clemens also grabbed a career best six rebounds to help UP improve to 6-6 on the year. Idaho falls to 3-8.
After Portland had led comfortably almost the entire way, the Vandals slowly climbed back into the game during the second half. A UP lead that was once 18 points was down to two after Shaena Kuehu hit a three-pointer to make it 45-43 with two minutes remaining. Yinka Olorunnife then pulled Idaho within 45-44 after converting one of two free throws with 80 seconds left.
At the other end, junior Laiken Dollente had a three-pointer half-way in before bouncing out and into the hands of Idaho’s Derisa Taleni. But on Idaho’s ensuing possession, senior Karlie Burris came up with a huge steal by swiping an Idaho pass with 47 ticks on the clock.
Burris was the hero at the other end as well as she drilled a three-pointer from deep in the left corner as the shot clock buzzer sounded. The trey gave UP a 48-44 lead with only 17 seconds left. Idaho then got an offensive rebound on a missed three-pointer with ten seconds remaining, but turned it over to Portland once again on an over-and-back violation. The Pilots were then able to run out the clock.
Turnovers were a huge factor as the Vandals coughed the ball up 23 times, leading to 24 points for Portland. The Pilots committed just five turnovers in the first half and 13 times overall, which led to 13 points for Idaho.
15 of Clemens’ points came in the first half as UP took control early. After trailing 7-2 three minutes in, the Pilots would score 24 unanswered points to build a 24-7 lead with 8:32 left in the half. The Vandals finally hit a free throw to end a nine minute scoring drought. Then with 4:55 left in the first stanza, Idaho hit its first field goal in almost 13 minutes. Portland would take a 28-15 lead into the locker room.
Clemens finished eight of 16 from the field and was Portland’s only double-digit scorer. Dollente scored eight points and had six rebounds and five assists. Burris finished with seven points and four steals.
Olorunnife led the Vandals with 20 points and 15 rebounds. Kuehu added 10 points, while Taleni had eight points and 10 boards.
The Pilots had an off-day from the field, shooting just 29.2 percent (19-for-65). UP connected on six three-pointers and was four of seven from the free throw line. Idaho didn’t fare much better and finished 18-for-51 (53.3 percent) from the floor. The Vandals hit five three-pointers and were a dismal three of 11 from the line.
Portland had a strong performance from the bench, getting 33 points. Idaho’s reserves countered with 10.
UP next rings in the new year with a game against Utah Valley at the Chiles Center on Wednesday. The Pilots and Wolverines are set to tip-off at 2:00 p.m.
