Box Score
GOLETA, Calif. --- The Portland Pilots led by four at halftime on the road, but the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos shot the lights out in the second half to earn an 83-69 win on Tuesday night at the Thunderdome. Sophomore forward Ryan Nicholas led three Pilots in double figures with a career-high 16 points as Portland drops to 2-3 on the season, while the Gauchos improve to 4-0.
The senior-laden Gauchos, coming off of back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, had stellar performances from guards Orlando Johnson and James Nunnally. The senior duo entered the game averaging a combined 38 points, but was held to 11 at the half. They erupted for 37 of the Gauchos’ 52 second half points, mostly from contested perimeter jumpers.
Johnson finished with 26 points and 12 rebounds, while Nunnally added 22 points. Senior center Jaime Serna added 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Portland senior Nemanja Mitrovic finished with 12 points, as did sophomore Tanner Riley. All of Riley’s points came in the first half before he picked up his third foul and was forced to the bench.
For the second game in a row the Pilots battled significant foul trouble. Riley, Thomas van der Mars and Riley Barker all had three fouls midway through the first period as the Gauchos made 13-of-22 first half free throws. Barker played just five minutes before fouling out.
UCSB became the first team to outrebound the Pilots this season, gaining a 45-28 margin on the glass.
The young Pilots played perhaps their best 40 minutes of basketball despite the loss. After allowing 16 points in the paint in the first half, Portland gave up only eight paint points in the second half. But the Gauchos continued to drain jumpers, shooting 55 percent from the field and making 7-of-12 three-pointers in the second period.
Despite the early foul trouble, Portland was able to come back from an early eight point deficit and take a 35-31 lead at the half. Riley drilled three three-pointers before being forced to the bench with his third foul. The Gauchos were 0-for-8 from three-point range in the first half.
Portland shot 39 percent from the field for the game compared to 47 percent for the Gauchos. Portland dished out 15 assists and only had eight turnovers, while forcing 13 UCSB turnovers.
Portland will continue its Thanksgiving week road trip by visiting the No. 2 Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. (PST) and the game will be televised on Fox Sports South.
