Box Score
Radio Highlights
Postgame Audio with freshman G Oskars Reinfelds
Bench Steps Up as Pilots Survive late Bradley Rally
LAS VEGAS, Nev. ---The Portland Pilots picked up an impressive 57-55 victory over the Bradley Braves in the consolation final of the Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic Sunday night at the Orleans Arena. Playing without second leading scorer Kevin Bailey the Pilots got big bench contributions, dominated the rebounding battle, and held the Braves to 32 percent shooting to hang on for the win.
Junior forward Ryan Nicholas was named to the all-tournament team after picking up his fourth double-double of the season with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
The Braves (8-4) had a go-ahead three-point attempt by Will Egolf at the buzzer fall short as Portland breathed a sigh of relief after nearly giving up a seven point lead in the final 90 seconds.
The Pilots (7-7) seemed to have control of the game after freshman guard Oskars Reinfelds made a driving layup for a 56-49 lead with 1:41 remaining, but Bradley’s Will Egolf drained a three-pointer and after a UP turnover Jake Eastman hit a three to make it 56-55 with 1:22 left. The Pilots turned it over again on the ensuing inbounds play, but Bradley gave it right back and Reinfelds was fouled. He made one-of-two free throws and the Braves missed a potential go-ahead three-pointer with 51 seconds. After the Pilots ran down the shot clock, Derrick Rodgers missed a tough fall-away and Bradley called timeout with 10 seconds remaining to set up the final play.
Bailey played just 30 seconds on Saturday before suffering a broken nose against Colorado State and was in street clothes on Sunday. Portland was able to overcome his absence by outscoring the Braves 28-2 in bench points, gaining a 42-31 rebounding margin and locking down the defense against an experienced Bradley squad.
Rodgers and Reinfelds made big plays all game long. Rodgers matched his career high with 12 points and Reinfelds had a season high 10 points, all in the second half.
Reinfelds, a 6-4 guard from Latvia and the Canarias Basketball Academy in Span, made a variety of crucial plays down the stretch. He broke a 37-37 tie with a three-pointer, drove the lane and set up a Nicholas jumper after Bradley took a two-point lead with 8:59 left. Another driving layup tied with at 47-47 and a short jumper gave the Pilots a 50-48 lead.
Rodgers came on early after starting point guard David Carr picked up two quick fouls. He scored eight first half points and played solid defense throughout his 27 minutes on the court. Sophomore center Riley Barker continued his solid play with six points, 10 rebounds and two blocked shots off the bench.
Portland shot 44 percent from the field and were 7-of-15 at the free throw line. The Pilots also committed 19 turnovers, which led to a 16-9 margin for the Braves in points off of turnovers. Bradley was 15-for-21 at the foul line and had only seven turnovers on the night.
Dyricus Simms-Edwards led three Braves players in double figures with 15 points.
Portland will take a brief Holiday break before returning to the Chiles Center for a men’s and women’s double-header on Saturday, Jan. 29. The Pilot women host Portland State at 5:15 p.m., followed by the UP men versus Texas Pan-American at 7:30 p.m. Portland then opens West Coast Conference play with a three-game Southern California road trip beginning at San Diego on Jan. 3.
