SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) -- Travis Niesen scored a career-high 35 points in helping Santa Clara snap a five-game losing streak with a 76-63 victory over Portland on Saturday.
Doron Perkins added 12 points as the Broncos (8-9, 1-1 West Coast) defeated their first Division I team in 10 games. Their only other win during that span came against Division II opponent Chico State.
Darren Cooper scored 16 points to lead the Pilots (11-6, 0-2 West Coast), who have lost 18 of their last 19 games in Santa Clara. Portland lost its second straight overall after winning seven of nine. Karl Aaker had 11 points.
The game was delayed several minutes as trainers attended to Marcus Lewis, who suffered an apparent ankle injury with 2:22 remaining to play. Lewis, who was helped off the court, led the Pilots with 10 rebounds to go with nine points.
Santa Clara raced to a 21-2 lead in the first eight minutes and led by at least 11 points the rest of the way.
Portland was held without a field goal until Dreshawn Vance sank a short jumper with 12:21 left in the half. The Pilots shot 28 percent.
Niesen scored 14 of the Broncos' first 26 points and Santa Clara went into the intermission with a 42-29 edge.
