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Radio Highlights - First Half I Second Half
Riley Doesn’t Miss as Pilots Pound Vikings
PORTLAND, Ore. --- Junior guard Tanner Riley did not miss a shot en route to a game-high 23 points off the bench as the University of Portland Pilots knocked off cross town rival Portland State, 81-60, Wednesday night at the Chiles Center. Riley was 8-for-8 from the field, made all four of his three-point attempts and three free throws in a career-high performance.
The Pilots (2-2) were efficient offensively from start-to-finish, jumping out to a double digit lead early and extending it to a 51-30 margin at the half. Riley, coming off the bench for the first time this season, provided a spark by making all four of his three-pointers in the period and matching his career high of 16 points.
The margin would grow to as much as 25 points in the second half as the Pilots cruised to victory.
Portland had many players step up, including junior guard Korey Thieleke who made his first start of the season. The Bakersfield, Calif. native recorded career-bests in all offensive categories with nine points, three rebounds, four assists, two blocked shots and two steals. He played 23 minutes before leg cramps sidelined him late.
Sophomore guard Kevin Bailey added 14 points, including three emphatic dunks to ignite the crowd.
Leading scorer Ryan Nicholas struggled from the field (3-11), but still nearly finished with a double-double of 10 points and nine rebounds.
As a team, the Pilots shot a season-best 52 percent from the field and went 5-of-10 from three-point range. Portland also addressed its early season turnover issues by committing just 12 in a fast paced game, while racking up 22 assists. The Pilots also dominated the boards with a 40-30 rebounding margin.
Defensively, the Pilots held the Vikings (1-2) to 36 percent from the field and forced 15 turnovers.
Dre Winston led PSU with 13 points, while Michael Harthun added 11.
Portland will next face a stiff road test on Sunday against the undefeated New Mexico Lobos (4-0) at The Pit. UNM recently knocked off No. 21 Connecticut to win the Paradise Jam in the Virgin Islands. The game tips off at 5 p.m. and pre-game coverage begins at 4:30 p.m. on TrueTalk 800 AM. The contest will be televised live on ROOT SPORTS (Rocky Mountain).
