USD Holds Portland to 31 in Victory

In 1986-87, the University of San Diego men’s basketball team yielded only 28 points in a victory over Ohio Northern. Friday in Portland, that Division I school record was in jeopardy as USD defeated Portland, 53-31.

Portland, last in the West Coast Athletic Conference in shooting percentage, set new standards for ineptitude from the floor. The Pilots made just 11 of 50 shots (22%).

USD’s romp avenged Portland’s 57-54 victory in San Diego and created a tie for last place in the WCAC. While halting a six-game losing streak, USD improved to 7-18 and 2-11. Portland is 2-24, 2-11.

USD can finish seventh in the conference with a victory tonight at Gonzaga (which lost to St. Mary’s in overtime Friday) if Portland loses tonight against St. Mary’s.

After Portland led, 5-0, USD’s Danny Means (game-high 12 points) made a three-pointer, a three-point play (fouled on a 15-foot jumper) and a 10-foot jumper, and Dondi Bell had a tip-in to give the Toreros a 10-9 lead with 10:29 left in the first half.

USD never lost the lead. Portland scored just five more points before the half ended, 25-14.

“Danny Means really came out and made key shots early for us,” said Hank Egan, USD’s coach. “Kelvin Woods (nine points and six rebounds in his first start at center) gave us his best tonight.”

Means was the only player in double-figure scoring. Ron Deaton led Portland with eight points and seven rebounds. USD dominated nearly every statistic, including a 41-30 rebounding edge.