Portland Holds Off LMU Despite No Kevin Bailey
By Josh Horton
Nov 18, 2013; East Lansing, MI, USA; Portland Pilots forward Ryan Nicholas (32) and Michigan State Spartans center Adreian Payne (5) battle for position during the second half at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Michigan State won 82-67. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
The Portland Pilots held off the LMU Lions and notched a 71-64 victory.
The Pilots appeared to struggle early on without their best scorer – Kevin Bailey – out of the game with a right foot injury. The Lions led the game early on by as many as 12 points, but the Pilots battled to cut their halftime deficit to 7. They ended up taking the lead in the second half, one that they did not surrender.
Portland’s Bobby Sharp got the start in place of Kevin Bailey, and scored 11 points in the new role. Senior Ryan Nicholas played admirably in his second to last game in the Chiles Center, scoring 16 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. Thomas van der Mars recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Bryce Pressley was the other Pilot to score in double figures with 14 points.
Alec Wintering had a phenomenal game from a passing standpoint, dishing out 10 assists.
LMU was led by their freshmen phenom Evan Payne, who scored 21 points in the losing effort. Anthony Ireland was not far behind with 15 points. Although they put up big numbers, the combination was only 12 of 32 (37.5%) from the field. Alex Osborne was the other Lion in double-digit points with 10. He also grabbed 7 rebounds to lead the team. Ireland’s 6 assists was a team-high.
Keys to the Game Checklist
LMU
(Check) Payne and Ireland’s Escapade on Sat. and how it will translate tonight
The incident from last weekend did not appear to be on the minds of Ireland and Payne tonight, who combined for 38 points. That scuffle looks behind those two.
Portland
(Check) The Dutchmen
Van der Mars double-double was big for Portland tonight. The Pilots frontcourt came up large in their victory over LMU today.
Player of the Game
Ryan Nicholas
When the going got tough tonight, the Pilots relied on their senior leader for production, and he certainly produced.
Nicholas scored 16 points and snagged 9 rebounds in the victory.
Moving Forward
The Portland Pilots have an upcoming matchup with the Waves, who will come in to the Chiles Center in hopes of sweeping the Pilots this season. LMU with travel up to Spokane, Wash. to take on the Bulldogs.