Box Score

PORTLAND, Ore. --- The Ohio Bobcats turned a three point halftime lead into a 72-54 victory over the Portland Pilots on Saturday before 2,002 fans at the Chiles Center. Freshman Kevin Bailey and sophomore Ryan Nicholas scored 13 points each to lead the Pilots, while D.J. Cooper recorded a triple-double with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the Bobcats. Ohio improves to 7-1 on the season, while the Pilots fall to 3-7.

Bailey had a solid all-around game for the Pilots in his second career start, finishing with season-highs of four rebounds and five assists while not committing a single turnover. Sophomore Tanner Riley added 10 points and three assists in his second straight start.

Cooper, who also had five steals on the night, led four Bobcats in double figures. Walter Offutt added 12 points, while Jon Smith and Ricardo Johnson chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively.

The Pilots led late in the first half following a steal and three-pointer by Riley that gave the home team a 32-27 edge with 2:31 left in the first period. Ohio called a timeout and then promptly went on an 11-0 run. Riley drilled one more three before the half to pull Portland within 38-35 at the break.

Two free throws by Bailey to start the second period made it a one-point game, but a 9-1 run gave the Bobcats a little cushion. A jumper by Reggie Keely gave Ohio a 54-43 lead with 10:24 remaining and the Bobcats would maintain a double-digit lead throughout.

Portland shot 37 percent from the field and made 5-of-19 three-pointers for the game. Ohio shot 43 percent from the floor and 5-for-20 from beyond the arc. The Bobcats gained a 40-31 rebounding edge and 12-2 margin in second chance points. The Pilots were held to 19 second half points.

Portland was without sophomore center Riley Barker (knee) for the third consecutive game.

The Pilots will continue their brief home stand when the Montana Grizzlies visit the Chiles Center on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available through all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com and through the Pilot Box Office (M-F, 11am-5pm, 503-943-7525).