PORTLAND, Ore. – Max Mackinnon scored 22 points, but the Portland men's basketball team fell to the Washington State Cougars 89-73 in the West Coast Conference opener for both teams Saturday at Chiles Center.
The Pilots (5-9, 0-1 WCC) had two players score in double figures, led by Mackinnon, who had 22 points five rebounds and three assists on 9 of 16 shooting. Freshman Austin Rapp continued his run of quality play with 17 points, six rebounds, four assists and three blocked shots for Portland.
The Cougars (11-3, 1-0) were blistering hot from the field for the game finishing at 55 percent overall and 14 of 25 from three-point range. The Pilots shot just 42 percent and knocked down 7 of 23 three-pointers.
How It Happened
Portland led 4-3 early but Washington State used a 16-0 run to push the margin to double digits. The Cougars drilled 10 first half threes and led by as much as 27 before taking a 51-30 lead into halftime.
The Pilots came out energized and cut the deficit to 53-40 after a Vincent Delano three-pointer, but Washington State responded with a 15-0 run to create separation. Portland pulled within 12 in the final two minutes, but got no closer as the Cougars sealed the win.
Game Notes
» The Pilots had 15 assists on 25 field goals made.
» The Portland defense forced 16 turnovers.
» The Pilots were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, recording five blocks as a team.
» Portland was 16-for-18 from the free throw line and Austin Rapp was a perfect 10-for-10.
» Ethan Price scored a team-high 22 points leading five Cougars in double figures.
Up next
Portland continues a tough early WCC schedule by visiting the Oregon State Beavers on Monday at 6:30 p.m. The Pilots then travel to Spokane, Wash. to face No. 14 Gonzaga on Thursday at 6 p.m. before hosting Saint Mary's on Saturday, Jan. 4 at 7 p.m. in the team's fourth game in seven days.
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