Box Score
Men’s Hoops Comeback Falls Short at Pepperdine, 70-65
MALIBU, Calif. --- For the second time in as many games the Portland Pilots put forth a spirited second half comeback before falling just short on the road. The Pilots dropped a 70-65 decision to the Pepperdine Waves on Saturday night at Firestone Fieldhouse as freshman guard Kevin Bailey scored a game-high 18 points. Sophomore guard Tanner Riley added a career-best 16 points and freshman forward Dorian Cason also set a career-high with 13 points off the Pilots bench.
The Pilots (6-21, 3-11 WCC) trailed by 13 points in the second half before cutting the margin to one possession late. Two days earlier at San Diego, Portland forced overtime after falling behind by 17 points late in regulation. The results both games were the same though, as a late Pepperdine flurry was too much to overcome.
The win on Senior Night for the host Waves (9-18, 3-12) was crucial in terms of seeding for the 2012 Zappos.com West Coast Conference Championships. A Pilots win would have secured a seventh place finish and avoided a placement in the 8-9 game scheduled for Wednesday. Now Portland will have to pick up at least one more victory to avoid Wednesday’s opening round game.
The Pilots led 31-29 early in the second half on Saturday, but an 18-3 Pepperdine run gave the host Waves a 47-34 lead with 11:15 remaining. The teams would trade baskets until the Pilots were able to pull within three points at 58-55 on a runner by Tanner Riley with 3:16 remaining. On the ensuing Pepperdine possession, Riley got a steal but Portland could not convert on the offensive end and the Waves would score the next seven points to create separation.
Bailey finished 8-for-13 from the field and has now led the Pilots in scoring a team-best 10 times. Cason was 4-of-5 from the field, including 2-for-2 from the three-point line.
Senior forward Taylor Darby and freshman guard Jordan Baker led Pepperdine with 17 points apiece. Joshua Lowery and Corbin Moore added 14 and 10 points, respectively.
The Waves gained a 41-32 rebounding advantage in the game. Pepperdine finished at 46 percent shooting from the field, while Portland was held to 40 percent.
Portland will return to the Chiles Center for its final home game of the 2011-12 season when the No. 16-ranked Saint Mary’s Gaels visit for a nationally televised game on Thursday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. and tickets are still available through all Ticketmaster outlets and the Pilots Box Office (503-943-7525). It is Nacho Night, as general admission tickets will be $5 and nachos are $4. Mention coupon code ‘NACHO’ for the discounted ticket price. A halftime paper airplane toss will also provide one lucky fan a trip for two to Hawaii courtesy of All About Hawaii Travel.
