HONOLULU, Hawaii – A shorthanded Portland team led a majority of the second half before a pair of free throws in the closing seconds lifted Temple to a 55-54 win in the seventh-place game of the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic at SimpliFi Arema at Stan Sheriff Center.

Juanse Gorosito, Tyler Robertson, and Tyler Harris combined to score 46 of Portland's 54 total points, but Portland's 7-man rotation run out of gas late as the Owls made a pair of free throws with five seconds left to steal the victory.

The Pilots (6-9) had three players score in double figures, led by Gorosito, who had 16 points, six rebounds and six assists. Robertson tacked on 16 points and Harris helped out with 14 points, seven rebounds and two steals.
Portland shared the ball well in Sunday's game, racking up 15 assists on 20 made field goals.
Portland's defense held Temple to only 31.7 percent shooting from the field, including 23.3 percent from beyond the arc.

How It Happened

Portland was excellent on defense in the opening half, but couldn't find a rhythm on offense. The Pilots limited Temple to 33 percent from the field, but shot just 36 percent and committed 10 turnovers and trailed 26-24 at the break.

Portland used a 12-0 run early in the second half to jump out to a 42-34 lead. Robertson converted a layup and three-pointer and Gorosito buried a three-pointer to cap the spurt.

Temple crawled back to within two, but Robertson and Gorosito again hit back-to-back threes for a 48-40 lead with 6:31 remaining.

Shane Dezonie's triple gave the Owls their first lead since early in the second half and made it 53-51. Gorosito continued to dazzle and drilled a corner three on the next possession to make it 54-53 Pilots with 1:38 left. Gorosito was fouled out on the next play and Portland had two chances to extend the lead but committed a turnover and missed the front end of a 1-and-1.

Temple guard Hysier Miller was fouled and made two free throws with 5.6 seconds left put the Owls on top and Robertson's desperation three at the buzzer missed.

Game Notes

» Portland found success from three point land, knocking down 10 treys in the game.
» The Pilots held the Owls to only 31.7 percent shooting from the field.
» The Pilots put on a passing clinic, recording an assist on 75 percent of made field goals.
» Juanse Gorosito, Tyler Robertson, and Tyler Harris combined to account for 85 percent of the Pilots points.
» Portland lost despite a 41-35 rebounding advantage.
» Portland got a team-high eight rebounds from Vasilije Vucinic.
» The Pilots had just seven scholarship players available for the game after Vukasin Masic was injured in Friday's game versus UMass.

Up Next

The Pilots will now prepare for West Coast Conference play which opens at the Chiles Center versus Pacific on Saturday, Jan. 6. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. and will be televised locally on Portland's CW (KRCW) and on ESPN+.
 

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