Box Score I Video Highlights
PORTLAND, Ore. --- The Portland Pilots saw a 17-point second half lead wilt to one down the stretch, but held on for a 53-52 victory over the Santa Clara Broncos Saturday night before 2,104 fans at the Chiles Center. Junior point guard T.J. Campbell made 5-of-6 free throws in the final 26 seconds to secure the win.
Junior guard Nik Raivio led the Pilots with (11-7, 2-1 West Coast Conference) 16 points and nine rebounds. Campbell finished with 15 points, seven assists and only one turnover. Sophomore forward Luke Sikma grabbed two clutch rebounds in the final minute and finished with 10 points off the bench.
Senior center John Bryant matched a Chiles Center record with 22 rebounds and finished with 15 points for the Broncos (7-13, 0-4). Freshman guard Kevin Foster added 20 points.
After taking a 43-26 lead on a Jared Stohl jumper with 12:44 remaining, the Pilots would go on a drought from the floor and make just one field goal the rest of the way. Fortunately, Portland made 8-of-10 free throws to thwart the Broncos’ comeback.
A three-pointer by Foster with five seconds remaining made it 51-50 and following two more free throws by Campbell, Santa Clara had one last chance with less than four seconds on the clock. James Rahon took the inbounds pass and threw up an off balance three-pointer that was off the mark. Bryant made the putback as time expired for the final margin.
Portland shot 36 percent from the field and made 6-of-13 three-pointers. Santa Clara finished at 35 percent, but went 5-for-21 from the three-point line. The Broncos gained a 24-12 edge in points in the paint and 11-6 margin in second chance points.
Behind Bryant’s work on the glass, the Broncos gained a 42-30 rebounding advantage. Portland had outrebounded its previous eight opponents.
Bryant entered the game averaging 17.4 points, but was held to just five points on 1-of-5 shooting in the first half as Portland went into the locker room with a 29-21 advantage.
Portland will now continue West Coast Conference play on the road beginning Thursday at Loyola Marymount. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. and the game will be televised nationally on ESPNU.
