Box Score Radio HighlightsPROVO, Utah – Portland sophomore point guard Alec Wintering scored a career-high 30 points, but a balanced BYU attack led the Cougars to a 97-88 West Coast Conference victory Monday night at the Marriott Center. The Pilots battled back from a 22-point deficit midway through the second half to make it a seven-point game late, but the Cougars were able to hold on.
Wintering was remarkably efficient finishing the game 6-for-12 from the field and 15-of-17 from the free throw line. The WCC's three-point percentage leader, he was 3-for-3 from beyond the arc.
The Cougars (11-4, 1-1) had three players score 20 or more points led by Tyler Haws with 24. Anson Winder was 10-for-14 from the field for 22 points, while Kyle Collinsworth added 21 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
Volodymyr Gerun added 14 points, while Bryce Pressley, Thomas van der Mars and Riley Barker had 10 apiece for the Pilots (10-4, 1-1).
Portland's furious late rally made the Marriott Center crowd nervous as the Pilots made six three-pointers during a 28-13 run capped by a pair of Wintering free throws to make it an 89-82 with 1:57 remaining.
The Cougars were able to score on the next two possessions to create enough separation and hold on.
The Pilots struggled to knock down shots through the first 30 minutes of the game and had some costly turnovers that led to easy BYU points. The Cougars had a 16-0 edge in fast break points, 22-6 margin in points off of turnovers, and 12-6 advantage in second chance points.
Portland finished at 48 percent shooting for the game and 9-for-23 from beyond the arc thanks to the late flurry, while BYU finished at 51 percent and 7-of-21 from three-point range.
Wintering scored nine early points as the Pilots raced to a 15-10 lead, but BYU answered behind Haws. He finished with 16 points in the period to lead the Cougars to a 43-37 halftime lead.
The tough schedule continues for the Pilots as they return for a three-game homestand beginning on Saturday against the No. 7 Gonzaga Bulldogs. The game is sold out, but will be televised live on ESPN2. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and doors will open at 5 p.m.
