Box Score

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah --- The Portland Pilots overcame a 17-point first half deficit to tie the game late, but ultimately dropped a 72-67 decision to the Utah Utes on Monday at the Huntsman Center. Senior Nemanja Mitrovic led three Pilots in double figures with 14 points in the loss.

Portland (3-9) tied the game at 55-55 on a jumper by sophomore guard Tim Douglas with 8:00 minutes remaining. The game would remain tied for the next three minutes as neither team could capitalize. The Pilots missed four straight free throws during the stretch before senior Josh Watkins gave the Utes (3-8) the lead back with a layup and the home team would hold on down the stretch.

Sophomore forward Ryan Nicholas added 13 points before fouling out and freshman center Thomas van der Mars contributed 10 for the Pilots. Freshman guard David Carr provided a spark off the bench and finished with six points five rebounds and three steals.

Watkins scored a game-high 26 points and dished out six assists to lead the Utes, while Jason Washburn added 18 points.

A van der Mars layup with 2;16 remaining pulled the Pilots within 61-59, but Watkins answered with a layup and after a Pilot offensive foul he made two free throws to give the Utes a six-point edge with 57 seconds remaining. Consecutive three-pointers by Mitrovic cut the deficit to 70-67 with 11 seconds remaining, but Washburn buried two more free throws to seal the victory.

Utah shot a blistering 62 percent from the field in the first half and capitalized on 10 Pilot turnovers in the first 20 minutes to jump out to a 17-point lead with 2:41 left in the period. The Pilots would close the gap and trailed 39-27 at the break and promptly opened the second half with an 8-1 run to pull within five.

Portland held the Utes to just six second-half field goals, but Utah was able to convert 21-of-31 free throws after the half. The Utes finished at 50 percent from the field for the game, compared to Portland’s 47 percent. The Pilots made 14-of-21 free throws on the night.

The Pilots will next travel to Reno, Nev. and face the Nevada Wolf Pack on Thursday at 7 p.m. After a brief break for the Holidays, Portland will open West Coast Conference play on the road at Gonzaga on Wednesday, Dec. 28.