CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) Sasa Cuic scored 14 points, all in the second half, and Oregon State withstood a Portland rally to beat the Pilots 66-63 on Wednesday.
The Beavers (3-2) had their 19-point second half lead get cut to two, 65-63, with 36 seconds remaining, but forced a turnover and blocked a shot on the Pilots' final two possessions.
Pooh Jeter led the Pilots (4-2) with 27 points, with 22 coming in the final 13:50 as he led Portland's rally from a 43-24 deficit. But his 3-point attempt at the buzzer was blocked by Kenny Hooks. Darren Cooper added 10 points for the Pilots.
The Beavers used a 15-0 run midway through the first half to take a 19-13 lead. They ended the half with a 13-5 spurt to take a 35-24 lead at the break.
Cuic dominated the start of the second half, scoring eight straight points as the Beavers opened their largest lead.
Portland got back in the game by making 10 straight field goals, and finished the game shooting 47.8 percent. The Beavers shot 43.6 percent, but outrebounded the Pilots 37-23 and forced 19 turnovers.
J.S. Nash had 11 points for the Beavers, while Marcel Jones added seven points and 10 rebounds.
Portland opened the game with a 10-2 lead, but made only three field goals in the next 20 minutes.
The Beavers started with one basket in the first seven minutes, compelling coach Jay John to turn to his bench.
Led by nine points from reserve guard Jason Fontenet, the Beavers got 25 points from their backups in the first half.
