The University of Portland men’s basketball team returned to the Chiles Center Friday night with a dominating performance over Division III Lewis & Clark.
The Pilots routed the Pioneers in the Portland hoops match-up, 98-52.
Senior guard Alec Wintering had his quietest night of the early season— 13 points, five assists and three rebounds— but made an imprint on the history books.
He moved into 15th place on Portland’s all-time scoring list with 1,254 points, passing former teammate Thomas Van Der Mars. He also surpassed current Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra for third on the Pilots’ all-time assists charts and moved into a tie for fourth in Portland history in steals.
Senior Ray Barreno came off the bench to lead all scorers and rebounders with career-highs of 14 points and 15 rebounds. Six players scored in double digits for the Pilots.
“From the start, (our guys) had good energy and set the tone for how the rhythm of the game was going to go,” head coach Terry Porter said.
Portland ran out to a double-digit lead less than six minutes into the contest. At the 5:06 mark of the first half, sophomore Rashad Jackson jumped out into passing lane for a steal and took it coast-to-coast for an easy two points at the rim. And following a missed jumper by Lewis & Clark, Jackson snatched the rebound, led the fast break and found freshman Andre Ferguson trailing on the left wing for an open three to bring the lead to 23. The Pilots would end their hot scoring half with a two-handed dunk by freshman Joseph Smoyer, just seconds before the horn.
Portland went into the break with a 53-28 lead. They shot nearly 65 percent from the field and held the visitors to under 25 percent from the field.
The second half spelled more of the same. Portland’s starters would be pulled with more than 13 minutes left. In garbage time, a pair of dunks by junior D’Marques Tyson and Jackson would bring the bench to a roar. The Pilots led by as many as 52 points.
The home team snagged 55 rebounds in the game, more than double of the Pioneers’ 27 boards. Every Portland player in uniform saw court action.
Lewis & Clark did not see any player reach double-figures in points.
The Pilots will set their sights to the DirecTV Wooden Classic Tournament in Fullerton, Calif. They will face off against the No.16 UCLA Bruins in a nationally televised game on Thanksgiving day at 8 p.m.
