PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland men's basketball team had four players score in double figures and a 42-point showing from the bench on the way to an 83-74 win against the Arkansas Pine Bluff Golden Lions Thursday at the Chiles Center.
The Pilots (2-0) were led by sophomore guard Mikah Ballew, who had 15 points off the bench. Jermaine Ballisager Webb added 14 points off the bench and freshman point guard Joel Foxwell helped with a double-double of 12 points and 10 assists along with six rebounds.
Portland led by as much as 19 points in the second half and maintained a double digit lead until the final minute.
The Portland defense held UAPB shooters to just 36.8 percent from the field, while Quion Williams led all players with 31 points and 13 rebounds for the Golden Lions (0-2).
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 34-29 advantage, Portland went on an 11-0 run with 2:32 left in the first half, culminating in a three from Garrett Nuckolls, to increase its lead to 45-29, a score that would hold until halftime. Portland 24 of its 45 points in the paint after struggling to just 3 of 13 shooting beyond the arc. Foxwell, Ballisager Webb and freshman forward Timo George each had 10 points in the period to lead the way.
Portland kept its lead intact before going on a 7-0 run, finished off by Ballew's three, to grow the lead to 69-53 with 6:10 to go in the contest. The Golden Lions narrowed the margin in the closing minutes with free throws and by forcing Pilot turnovers, but the Portland still cruised the rest of the way for the 83-74 win.
Game Notes
» Joel Foxwell notched his first collegiate double-double for the Pilots with 12 points and 10 assists.
» The Pilots held the Golden Lions to only 36.8 percent shooting from the field.
» Portland never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
» The Pilots shared the ball well, recording an assist on 20 of 26 made baskets.
» The Portland bench came alive by adding 42 points to its scoring output.
» Mikah Ballew and Jermaine Ballisager Webb came off the bench to score 15 and 14 points, respectively.
» Junior G Garrett Nuckolls contributed seven points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals for the Pilots.
» Freshman F Timo George added 12 points, including three emphatic dunks, to go with four rebounds and two blocked shots.
» Portland had a 37-36 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Portland defense forced 19 turnovers.
» Portland got a team-high 10 rebounds from sophomore center James O'Donnell.
» Nine different Pilots scored in the game.
» Portland shot just 6-of-27 from three-point range, but converted 25-of-32 free throws.
» Both teams committed 19 turnovers and scored 28 points apiece off giveaways.
» Portland gained a 40-26 edge in paint scoring.
» St. Francis transfer PG Riley Clark (foot) and redshirt freshman G Carlin Briggs (knee) were unavailable due to injury.
Up Next
The Pilots conclude their three-game opening homestand on Sunday with a 2 p.m. tip-off against the UC Davis Aggies (2-0). The game will be televised on KUNP-TV and ESPN+, while live coverage links can be found on PortlandPilots.com.
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