HONOLULU, Hawaii – Portland guard RJ Nance Jr. scored a game-high 25 points and the Pilots shot 53 percent overall but dropped an 89-85 decision to the UT Arlington Mavericks Friday in the opening game of the Outrigger Rainbow Classic at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.
The Pilots (1-1) overcame an early 14-point deficit and led 85-84 with 1:45 remaining, but were held scoreless the rest of the way.
Hunter Adam and Riley Parker added 18 points apiece for Portland as the team drilled 11 of 23 three-pointers.
Turnovers and missed free throws proved too much to overcome for Portland as the Mavericks (2-0) scored 25 points on 21 turnovers and the Pilots were just 16-for-27 from the free throw line.
Portland out-rebounded UT Arlington 31-30, led by six boards each from James O'Donnell and Jaxon Olvera.
How It Happened
UT Arlington jumped out to a 14-0 lead as the Pilots struggled with seven turnovers during the opening five minutes of the game. The Pilots responded with a 12-0 run out of a timeout courtesy of two three-pointers each from Adam and Nance Jr. The Pilots only trailed 46-43 at the break despite committing 13 first half turnovers.
Portland took their first lead of the night on a Parker triple to make it 53-52 early in the second half. UT Arlington would regain the lead and push the margin to as much as seven points on three occasions in the closing minutes before the Pilots rallied once again.
Nance Jr. made two tough buckets to sandwich another Parker three to pull the Pilots within 84-82. Adam then had a highlight reel blocked shot that spurred Nance Jr. into transition where he converted a three-point play to go up 85-84 with 1:45 left. UTA made a pair of free throws to retake the lead and the Pilots committed turnovers on back-to-back possessions as the Mavericks converted free throws to clinch the victory.
Game Notes
» The Pilots shot well from three-point range, knocking down 11 of 23 long range attempts.
» The Portland bench came alive by adding 32 points to its scoring output.
» Portland lost despite a 31-30 rebounding advantage.
» The Portland defense forced 13 turnovers.
» Nance Jr. was 9-for-13 from the floor and 2-of-4 from three-point range.
» James O'Donnell was the fourth Pilot in double figures with 12 points.
» Teodor Simic had 24 points off the bench to lead UTA, including 20 in the first half.
Up Next
The Pilots will continue the Outrigger Rainbow Classic on Sunday against Bethesda on at 4:30 p.m. (PT). The tournament concludes against the host Warriors on Monday at 9 p.m. Visit PortlandPilots.com for live coverage links.
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