Box Score I Photos I Photos #2 I Video Highlights

PORTLAND, Ore. --- Sophomore Robin Smeulders scored 20 points, junior Nik Raivio added 19 and the Portland Pilots opened the season with an impressive 80-74 win over the Washington Huskies Saturday night before 2,617 fans at the Chiles Center. All five starters scored in double figures for the Pilots, who defeated the Huskies for the first time since 1993.

 

Washington senior All-American Jon Brockman led all scorers with 30 points and 14 rebounds, but it was Portland’s balanced attack that was the difference.

 

A physical contest from start to finish, the game was back-and-forth down the stretch as Smeulders took over late. His three-point play with 3:42 remaining gave the Pilots a 67-66 lead that they would not relinquish. Junior Ethan Niedermeyer hit a crucial corner three-pointer on the next possession for a 70-66 lead. After a Brockman lay-up, Smeulders made back-to-back runners in the lane for a six-point edge with 1:15 remaining.

 

In a scrum for a loose ball with 57 seconds left, Smeulders and Brockman were each charged with a technical foul – the second of the night for Smeulders – but the Pilots converted free throws late to secure the win.

 

“We had a conviction that comes from hard work and it was nothing special that the coaches did and nothing special that I did,” said third-year Portland head coach Eric Reveno. “I don’t want to sound like the guy that won’t enjoy it, because I will, but those guys in the locker room deserve to enjoy it the most. They worked so hard and believed in themselves and did everything we asked of them. They deserved this win.”

 

Portland led by as much as 12 points in the first half and 10 early in the second period before the Pac-10 Huskies stormed back with a 20-9 run to take a 59-58 lead with 9:02 left.

 

Portland shot 47 percent from the field, while UW finished at 46 percent. The Huskies owned a 44-31 edge in rebounds, but committed 23 turnovers that led to a 24-12 advantage in points off turnovers for the Pilots.

 

Junior point guard T.J. Campbell had a solid debut for Portland with 10 points, five assists and four rebounds. Niedermeyer made 4-of-7 threes and finished with 14 points, while sophomore center Kramer Knutson contributed 10, including two big baskets late in regulation.

 

Smeulders made 7-of-9 from the field and also grabbed six rebounds in 27 minutes of action.

 

“We’re not there yet … we’re so not there yet,” Reveno added. “It’s so early and this win doesn’t make our season or our program. It’s a nice milestone that we’ve got to build on.”

 

The Pilots will look to make it a streak when they travel to across town to face the Portland State Vikings on Tuesday at 7 p.m.