PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland nearly pulled off its second win in three days against a blue blood college basketball program but came up just short in a 78-77 loss to No. 12 Michigan State in the fifth-place game of the Phil Knight Invitational Sunday at Chiles Center. The Pilots (5-4) had overcame a 12-point deficit with three minutes left in regulation to have a pair of game-winning shot attempts in the closing seconds.
Tyler Robertson fought through a Michigan State defender on the block with the first attempt, but no foul was called and it came up short. Juanse Gorosito corralled the loose rebound but had to rush his attempt and missed as time expired.
It was the third impressive showing for the upstart Pilots in front of a national audience this week. Portland led No. 1 North Carolina for a majority of the second half before falling 89-81 on Thursday and then defeated Villanova 83-71 on Friday. Along with Michigan State, Portland's three opponents in the tournament have racked up 19 Final Fours and six NCAA Championships in the last 25 years.
The Spartans (5-2) also benefitted from a seven-point play early in the second half to take their first lead since early in the first period. Trailing 46-42, Michigan State's Mady Sisoko made a transition layup and was fouled by Portland's Joey St. Pierre. Sisoko was awarded three free throws – and made all three – and the Spartans scored after being awarded possession to take a 49-46 lead.
The Pilots had three players score in double figures, led by Robertson, who had 16 points, seven rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Alden Applewhite continue his stellar play with 16 points and two steals off the bench and Kristian Sjolund helped with 15 points.
Portland utilized excellent ball movement in Sunday's game, piling up 17 assists on 26 made field goals.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 34-32 advantage, Portland went on an 8-0 run with 3:27 left in the first half, culminating in a three from Robertson, to increase its lead to 42-32 and took a 42-34 advantage into halftime. Portland relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down nine shots to account for 27 of its 42 points.
Michigan State proceeded to take a 78-69 lead before Portland went on an 8-0 run, finished off by a pair of Sjolund three-pointers, to shrink the deficit to 78-77 with 43 seconds to go in the contest. Portland got a big defensive stop with 8.1 seconds remaining setting up the final sequence.
Game Notes
» The Pilots shot well from three-point range, knocking down 13 of 29 long range attempts.
» The Pilots shared the ball well, recording an assist on 65 percent of made baskets.
» The Portland bench made an impact by adding 31 points to its scoring output.
» Portland turned the ball over five times while dishing out 17 assists.
» Tyler Robertson and Alden Applewhite led the Pilots with 16 points each.
» Portland got a team-high seven rebounds from Tyler Robertson.
Up Next
Portland will embark on a four-game homestand beginning on Wednesday at 7 p.m. against Multnomah.
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