Box Score

SAN DIEGO, Calif. --- The Portland Pilots snapped a five-game road losing streak against the San Diego Toreros with a 63-54 win in West Coast Conference action Thursday night at Jenny Craig Pavilion. Robin Smeulders paced Portland with 19 points and nine rebounds.

The Pilots (10-6, 1-1 WCC) led nearly the entire game, but didn’t pull away until late in regulation. Portland used 6-0 to take a 53-43 with 3:43 remaining on a Smeulders layup. Ken Rancifer hit a big three-pointer to cut it the 53-46, but Smeulders and Luke Sikma would make four free throws each in the closing minutes to seal the victory.

Portland finished the game 19-for-24 from the free throw line, after struggling at the charity stripe in the last two games. The Pilots also gained a 37-25 edge in rebounds and committed just 11 turnovers in the game.

San Diego (8-11, 1-2) shot 37 percent from the field, while Portland was 45 percent from the field despite going just 2-for-9 from three-point range. Portland dominated the interior throughout the game. Sikma joined Smeulders in double figures with 14 points off the point. T.J. Campbell added 11 points and six rebounds.

USD seniors Brandon Johnson and De’Jon Jackson had 19 and 10 points, respectively.

Portland held a 31-30 lead at the half behind seven points each from Smeulders and Campbell, despite Campbell being relegated to the bench for all but 11 minutes with two fouls.

The Pilots continue WCC action on the road this Saturday at Saint Mary’s. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game will be broadcast live on Comcast SportsNet Northwest. The game will be on the radio on 95.5 The Game (KXTG) with a 6:30 p.m. pregame show.