Box Score
DENVER, Colo. --- Nemanja Mitrovic and Jared Stohl entered Saturday night’s game at Denver as the top three-point shooting duo in the nation. Those numbers increased as the two finished a combined 9-for-15 from beyond the arc in a 71-64 victory over the Denver Pioneers at Magness Arena. Mitrovic finished with a team-high 18 points, while Stohl finished with 16.
Senior forward Luke Sikma added his fifth double-double of the year with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while freshman Tim Douglas came off the bench to reach double figures for the second straight game and finished with 10.
Portland (8-3) improved to 3-1 in true road games this season, while the Pioneers (2-8) lost for just the fourth time in the last two years on their home court (17-4).
After a sluggish first half that left the Pilots trailing by one, it was all Portland in the second half as Stohl got hot and hit three straight three-pointers. The Pilots took the lead for good on a pair of free throws by Eric Waterford for a 46-42 lead with 13:37 remaining. Mitrovic buried consecutive three-pointers to spark an 11-2 run, the latter giving UP a 66-56 edge with 2:32 left. Portland hit free throws down the stretch to secure the win.
Chase Hallam led all scorers with 24 points and used a personal 10-0 run against the Pilots in the first half as DU gained an 11-point lead. The Pilots were able to close the half with momentum and cut the deficit to 32-31 at the break.
Portland shot a blistering 67 percent from three-point range (12-for-18) and 51 percent from the field (20-39). Denver countered by making 13-of-30 threes (.433) and shot an even 50 percent from the floor (23-46). The Pilots were able to capitalize on their size by gaining a 30-14 rebounding margin and 14-2 edge in second chance points.
Portland will play its fourth consecutive road game next Saturday, although the trip will be a short bus ride to Portland State. Tip-off between the crosstown rivals is set for 7 p.m. at the Stott Center and the game will be on the radio at 800 AM (KPDQ).
