EUGENE, Ore. – The Portland Pilots entered Saturday's game versus Oregon at Matthew Knight Arena as one of the most efficient scoring offenses in the nation, but couldn't find a rhythm in a 78-56 loss to the Ducks.
Oregon entered the game shooting under 30 percent from three-point range and making less than seven per game but knocked down 9-of-16 in the first half to race out to a 37-25 halftime lead. The Pilots (8-6) ranked top 30 nationally in three-point percentage at 40 percent, but struggled to just 3-of-16 in the period.
The Ducks (7-5) extended their lead to as much as 24 points late in regulation to secure the win.
Portland had three players score in double figures, led by Tyler Robertson, who had 13 points and two steals. Alden Applewhite tacked on 12 points, seven rebounds and seven assists from the bench and Kristian Sjolund chipped in as well with 11 points, but fouled out after playing just 20 minutes.
The Pilots forced 18 Oregon turnovers while committing 16 themselves in Saturday's game. The Pilots turned those takeaways into 19 points on the other end of the floor. Robertson's two steals led the way for Portland.
How It Happened
Portland struggled out of the gate, falling behind 37-25 heading into halftime.
Oregon kept widening its lead after intermission, constructing a 61-42 advantage before Portland went on a 6-0 run, finished off by Moses Wood's layup, to shrink the deficit to 61-48 with 7:53 to go in the contest. Oregon responded and outscored the Pilots the rest of the way, ending the game with a final score of 78-56. Portland capitalized on nine Oregon turnovers in the period, collecting 11 points off those turnovers.
Game Notes
» The Portland bench came alive by adding 24 points to its scoring output.
» The Portland defense forced 18 turnovers.
» Tyler Robertson led the Pilots with 13 points.
» Portland got a game-high seven rebounds from Alden Applewhite.
Up Next
The Pilots conclude the non-league schedule with a road game at UC Riverside on Thursday at 2 p.m. West Coast Conference action begins at the Chiles Center on Thursday, Dec. 29 at 6 p.m. against the Loyola Marymount Lions.
Get Your Tickets Now!
Secure your spot now for any upcoming Portland Pilots ticketed home event by visiting PortlandPilots.com/Tickets or downloading the Portland Pilots App. For group and fan experience package information, email pilotsboxoffice@up.edu.
Donate Today
Fans interested in making a contribution to the Pilot Athletic Fund can do so by clicking here. Your gift directly helps our nearly 300 student-athletes as they strive to make a difference in our community and achieve academic and athletic excellence. Thank you for support of Pilot Athletics!
Follow Along With the Action
Get the latest news and information about your favorite University of Portland athletic programs by visiting PortlandPilots.com. You can also follow along for the most dynamic coverage and team-centric content by following us on Twitter, liking us on Facebook, and following us on Instagram.