The University of Portland Pilots opened their season with a thrilling 78-73 victory over the Long Beach State 49ers on Friday night. The Pilots were led by senior guard Filip Masic, who scored 25 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the field. Masic also added four rebounds and four assists in the win.
The Pilots jumped out to an early lead, taking a 37-30 advantage into halftime. Long Beach State fought back in the second half, cutting the deficit to just one point with under two minutes remaining. However, Masic and the Pilots were able to hold off the 49ers and secure the win.
Masic was the star of the show for the Pilots, but he was ably supported by his teammates. Senior forward JoJo Walker had a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while sophomore guard Marcus Shaver Jr. added 14 points and five assists. Senior forward Josh McSwiggan chipped in with eight points and seven rebounds.
The Pilots shot a solid 47.2% from the field and 35.7% from three-point range in the win. They also held Long Beach State to just 37.3% shooting from the field and 25% from beyond the arc.
The win was a great start to the season for the Pilots, and they will look to build on it as they take on the University of San Francisco on Sunday. If Masic can continue his strong play, the Pilots should be in good shape for the rest of the season.
