By Ben Arthur|
Junior Alec Wintering had 17 points in 18 minutes to lead the Pilots to a 87-57 win over Abilene Christian Sunday night at the Chiles Center. With the win, the Pilots improve to 2-2 on the season and 2-0 at home.
Senior Bryce Pressley and sophomore D’Marques Tyson scored in double figures as well with 12 and 10 respectively.
The Pilots held the visitors to under 29 percent shooting for the game and forced them to commit 20 turnovers.
Wintering’s buzzer-beating three to beat the shot clock at the start of the game set the tone for the Pilots in the first half. Portland jumped out to an early 15-2 lead that forced the Wildcats to call their first timeout. The Pilots continued to roll after the short stoppage in play, extending their lead to a first half high of 35 after a top-of-the key 3-pointer from sophomore Gabe Taylor. Portland went into the break with a 48-15 lead.
The Pilots continued their rout in the second half. At the 12:10 mark, freshman Rashad Jackson fed junior Jarrel Marshall on a fast break for a lay-up that gave the home team a 36 point lead at 63-27, their largest lead of the entire game.
Portland shot just under 52 percent for the game with every player scoring at least a point. Nine of Wintering’s 17 points came from a perfect three-for-three from long distance. Freshman big man Colin Russell paced the home team on the boards with six rebounds.
Head Coach Eric Reveno said that this win was a good bounce-back victory for his team after a tough loss to Colorado on Friday.
“When we play with that kind of energy defensively, and rebound the ball which we haven’t always done consistently, the offense will take care of itself,” Reveno said.
Portland held the Wildcats to shooting under 13 percent and forced 10 turnovers.
Duran Porter led the way for Abilene Christian with 14 points in a losing effort.
This game was the first of four games for Portland this week including back-to-back games next Friday and Saturday. The Pilots will next face Alcorn State Tuesday at 7pm in the Chiles Center.
Ben Arthur is a Sports Reporter for the Beacon. He can be reached by email arthur17@up.edu or Twitter @KingArthur_425.
