LAS VEGAS – A late 16-2 run propelled No. 6 Portland (18-13) over the No. 7 San Diego men's basketball team (15-16) in the second round of the WCC Tournament, 73-55.
A three-pointer from
Marcellus Earlington cut the deficit to four with 7:33 left, but the Pilots outscored the Toreros 18-4 the rest of the way.
Graduate
Terrell Brown-Soares registered a double-double, posting 14 points (7-10 FG) and 12 rebounds in addition to two blocks.
Senior
Jase Townsend registered 17 points, eight rebounds, and three assists in the loss.
San Diego ends the season with a 15-16 record.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Portland jumped out to a 13-4 lead, including three triples.
- Townsend helped USD battle back, scoring five straight points to make it 15-11.
- Brown-Soares connected on four of his first five shots, slicing the deficit to four again at 24-20.
- San Diego missed its first seven attempts from beyond the arc, while Portland made four of its first seven. Townsend later knocked one down with three minutes left to cut the deficit to three.
- Portland scores four straight to extend its lead to seven, but Brown-Soares connected on a late bucket to close the half. At the break, the Pilots led 34-29.
- Vladimir Pinchuk and Earlington both converted and-one baskets, with the latter getting USD within one.
- The Pilots went back ahead by seven, but back-to-back jumpers from Townsend quickly got it back to three.
- With 7:33 left, Earlington took a pass from Townsend and buried a triple from the wing to make it 55-51 Portland. The Pilots answered with a 16-2 run to pull away.
TORERO TIDBITS
- Brown-Soares ends the season with 64 blocks, which ranks third all-time for a single season. He posted his fifth double-double of the season.
- Townsend went into double figures for the 14th time this season, which was third on the team.
- Pinchuk posted nine points and five rebounds in 15 minutes.
- Gultekin grabbed eight rebounds and dished three assists.
- Portland shot 53.6% (15-28) from the field and 50% (4-8) from long range in the second half.
- USD held a 17-2 advantage in bench points.
- Portland was 11-19 from the free throw line, while San Diego made 6-7 attempts.
- The Toreros won 12 more games than last season.
