Box Score SEATTLE, Wash. --- The Portland Pilots made numerous clutch plays down the stretch to cap a 70-65 victory over the Florida Atlantic Owls in the season opener for both schools at the World Vision Classic on Saturday. Senior guard Nemanja Mitrovic led the Pilots with 18 points and eight rebounds, while sophomore forward Ryan Nicholas recorded his first career double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

After three straight FAU free throws gave the Owls a 63-60 lead, Nicholas made a crucial three-point play with 2:04 remaining. Kore White answered with a layup for the Owls and Pilot sophomore Tim Douglas made one of two free throws to cut the deficit to 65-64 with 1:34 left in regulation. A pair of defensive stops gave the Pilots possession and junior guard Derrick Rodgers made a tough, left-handed floater to give UP a 66-65 edge with 28 ticks left. FAU’s Raymond Taylor couldn’t convert at the other end and the Pilots made four straight free throws (two each by Mitrovic and Nicholas) to secure the win.  

FAU, the preseason Sun Belt Conference favorite after winning 20 games and playing in the NIT last season, got off to a fast start on Saturday. The Owls jumped to a 20-8 lead as the Pilots struggled offensively. Portland figured things out late and closed the half with an 8-0 run as Nicholas beat the buzzer with a jumper to tie the game at 35-35.

Rodgers was big off the bench for the Pilots and finished with 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field and 3-for-3 at the free throw line.

Gregg Gantt scored a game-high 23 points, while Pablo Bertone and Kore White added 11 and 10 points, respectively, for the Owls.

Both teams struggled offensively with Portland shooting 39 percent from the field and FAU finishing at 37 percent shooting. The Pilots made 23-of-27 free throws, compared to 8-of-15 for the Owls. Portland also gained a 40-37 rebounding margin.

Portland’s four true freshmen all contributed in their first official collegiate action. Guard David Carr played 21 minutes and finished with five points; center Thomas van der Mars had two points and three rebounds in 19 minutes; forward Dorian Cason added six points and four rebounds in 15 minutes; and guard Kevin Bailey had four points in 12 minutes.

The Pilots will continue the World Vision Classic by facing Georgia State on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. and then conclude the tournament against the host Washington Huskies on Monday at 7 p.m. The final game will be aired live on ROOT Sports, while all Pilots games can be heard on the radio on 800 AM (KPDQ).