Monday night was one for the ages. It took 50 minutes to decide the winner of this non-conference game between the University of Portland and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, but when all was said and done the Pilots took the game in double overtime by a score of 90-89.
With this win the Pilots move to 5-3 on the year, while the Vaqueros fall to 2-8.
After battling all game long, the Vaqueros pulled ahead towards the end of the second half of regulation. With just four minutes left, the Pilots were down by 10 and everything was going the Vaqueros’ way. But the Pilots fought back and forced the game to go into overtime when freshman center Joseph Smoyer threw down a dunk to tie the game at the end of regulation.
“I wish the dunk had won the game, but it was an awesome feeling. I’m glad I could show that I can play,” Smoyer said after the game.
In the first overtime period, the two teams were trading baskets and in the final seconds of overtime, the Pilots found themselves down by two points again. But that wasn’t going to stop them. Sophomore guard Jazz Johnson hit a running layup to send the Pilots to another overtime period.
The overtime period seemed to repeat itself as the Pilots found themselves down again with only seconds left in the game, only this time, they were down by just one point. Head coach Terry Porter called a timeout and drew up a play for senior guard Alec Wintering. The play was executed well and Wintering took the shot, but missed. Fortunately, junior forward Gabe Taylor was there for the putback layup that won the game for the Pilots.
“It felt great to finish off the game,” Taylor said. “Alec did a good job making the defender come out and he usually makes that shot, but I was lucky enough to be in the right spot and put it in.”
“It was a battle. [UTRGV] really brought it to us tonight," head coach Terry Porter said. "I just loved the way our guys constantly battled and stayed with them. Our guys just kept fighting and grinding and we finally made enough plays to get back in it. It was great to see our guys battle and come out with a great win."
Wintering led the Pilots with 24 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Junior guard D’Marques Tyson added 21 points tonight, including a huge late three-pointer in the second overtime. Johnson added 19 points, including the game tying shot after the first overtime period, and Taylor added 16, including the game winning shot. Antonio Green led the Vaqueros with 28 points.
Wintering played all 50 minutes of the game, Tyson played 46 minutes, Johnson 47 minutes and Taylor 42 minutes for Portland.
This isn’t the first time Wintering has played the entire game and his ability to lead the team has been a benefit early in the season.
“Alec has been a warrior for us all year. We ask so much of him. He’s our leader. He does everything we need on both ends of the floor. I’m blessed to have him run our team and show great leadership on and off the court. You’d want to go to battle with him,” Porter said.
Free-throw shooting hurt the Pilots all game as they shot 23-41 from the line, which has been a strength for the team all year. Coming into tonight’s game, the Pilots were second in the nation in free-throw shooting (84.6 percent).
The Pilots look to take this momentum and confidence to Boise, Idaho, to play their next game on Sat., Dec. 10 against the Boise State Broncos.
