PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Thomas van der Mars scored 19 points to lead Portland to a hard-fought 76-64 victory over Lewis & Clark Tuesday night.
Portland (3-4) led most of the way over the Pioneers, a Division III team, but never managed a double-digit lead until the final minute. The final score was its largest lead.
Lewis & Clark’s last lead came at 36-34 when James Hollins, who led the Pioneers with 19 points, scored on a runner early in the second half. Portland answered with a 16-8 run to take a 50-44 lead. Hollins scored five straight points to help Lewis & Clark close the gap to 56-53 with seven minutes left, but the Pioneers never got any closer.
Reserve Kevin Bailey contributed 14 points for the Pilots and Ryan Nicholas scored 11 points. Ross Erickson had 16 points for the Pioneers (3-2) while P.J. Taylor scored 14.
