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Seniors Lead Pilots to Crucial Win over Pepperdine

PORTLAND, Ore. --- Portland recognized its four seniors prior to tip-off on Saturday afternoon and then they went out and provided a huge lift as the shorthanded Pilots knocked off Pepperdine, 74-62, before 2,039 fans at the Chiles Center. Portland moved into sole possession of fifth place in the league standings with the win, leapfrogging the Waves.

The Pilots (15-11, 7-7 WCC) were without leading scorer Kevin Bailey (calf) for the second straight game, but senior forward Ryan Nicholas picked up the slack with a game-high 21 points in his final regular season home game.

Nicholas and fellow seniors Korey Thieleke, Tanner Riley and John Bailey got the starting nod for Senior Day and immediately gave Portland an early spark. Riley erupted for 10 points in the first seven minutes to give the Pilots an early 15-5 lead.

The Waves (14-13, 7-8) were able to cut the deficit to two points late in the period, but Nicholas scored eight straight points in the final two minutes and Portland took a 40-33 lead into the half.

There was more senior magic after the break as Nicholas and Thieleke made big plays repeatedly down the stretch as Portland would hold on for the win.

Pepperdine cut the margin to 55-51 on a Stacy Davis layup, but Thieleke blocked a three-point shot by the Waves and then went the other way for a three-point play with 8:19 remaining. Davis again pulled the Waves within four on a corner three-pointer with 6:52 left, but Nicholas answered with a three-point play.

After Pepperdine pulled within three at 61-58, Nicholas got an offensive rebound and again converted a three-point play with 2:41 left. Thieleke then made a baseline jumper to give the Pilots a 68-60 lead with 1:38 remaining and Nicholas made four late free throws to finish the game.

Nicholas finished 6-of-10 from the field, made both of his three-point attempts and 7-of-8 free throws. Junior center Thomas van der Mars added 15 points off the bench.

Malcolm Brooks paced the Waves with 15 points, while Brendan Lane added 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Portland shot 46 percent from the field and held Pepperdine to 35 percent on the night to even the season series.

The Pilots will now prepare for a four-game road trip to end the regular season beginning on Thursday at San Diego. Portland will then take on BYU on Saturday, before closing out the league schedule the following week at Saint Mary's and Pacific (Calif.).

GIF Highlights:
















Ryan Nicholas put on a show in his final game in the Chiles Center, collecting 21 points and six rebounds on the night. Immediately after hitting back-to-back threes, he beat the halftime buzzer with his fadeaway jumper after pulling down an offensive board.
 
















Senior Tanner Riley carried the Pilots in the early going, scoring 10 points in the first six minutes of the game.
 
















Senior Korey Thieleke filled the statsheet in his final Chiles Center appearance, earning several standing ovations from the crowd as he finished with 8 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, a block, and a steal to go along with lockdown defense.
 
















This And-1 late in the game gave Portland some breathing room late in the game, as the Waves had cut the lead to three. They would never get any closer as the Pilots finished strong to collect a 12 point win.

 















Thomas van der Mars was a steady presence all game for the Pilots, finishing with 15 points and five rebounds. Early in the first half, he had a nice highlight play with a beautiful finish off a long pass from Bryce Pressley.