WCC Game Recap: San Francisco survives against Portland in overtime
By James Pigott
Mark Tollefsen scored 22 points and Chris Adams hit a game tying three at the end of regulation to propel the San Francisco Dons to an overtime win against the Portland Pilots at the Chiles Center on Saturday. The Dons were led with balanced scoring, as five different players scored in double figures. Avry Homes scored 15 points and recorded 4 assists, and Cole Dickerson had a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Kruize Pinkins and Matt Glover scored 11 points each for the Dons.
Portland was led by Kevin Bailey, who scored 24 points had hit the go-ahead three pointer with 9 seconds left in regulation. Bobby Sharp hit a couple of three pointers in overtime to try to keep the Pilots in it and he finished with 13 points. Thomas Van Der Mars also scored 10 points for the Pilots. Ryan Nicholas struggled with foul trouble and only scored 5 points on 2/6 shooting in only 22 out of the 45 minutes in the game.
STAT(S) OF THE NIGHT
San Fransisco: The Dons out-rebounded the Pilots 40-22 and limited the Pilots on defensive boards. Rebounding will be key when the Dons face Gonzaga on Monday night, as the Zags are vulnerable on the defensive glass.
Portland: Freshman point guard Alec Wintering tried to make the case that he is the next T.J. Campbell, as Wintering dished out a career high 13 assists. The Pilots have struggled to find a point guard after Campbell graduated in 2010, and with what Wintering has done as a freshman, the future looks very bright in Portland.
MOVING FORWARD
For San Francisco, this was an excellent win against a hot Portland Pilots team. This Dons team has arguably the best front court in the league with Tollefsen, Dickerson, and Pinkins, and they should give the Zags front court all they can handle especially if Sam Dower is not able to play.
The Portland Pilots should still feel pleased with the way they played. Had it not been for an off-balance three pointer by Adams, they would have won the game in regulation. If Ryan Nicholas can stay on the floor, the Pilots have many offensive weapons and should be a tough out in the WCC.