PORTLAND – USF was able to erase any lingering effects of back-to-back 31 point losses with an 89-77 victory over the Portland Pilots at the Chiles Center.
 
The win snapped a four-game USF losing streak and improved the Dons' record to 8-10 overall and 2-4 in the WCC. Portland falls to 11-6 and 2-3 in the WCC. The win was also the Dons' fifth straight at the Chiles Center and ninth victory in the last 10 meetings with the Pilots.
 
Freshman Devin Watson scored a career high 21 points to lead a balanced USF scoring attack which saw four players hit double figures. Kruize Pinkins finished with 18 and Tim Derksen and Mark Tollefsen added 15 apiece.
 
The Dons made 11-of-24 three-pointers and knocked down 28-of-32 free throws en route to the 12-point victory. USF also held a slight advantage on the boards, 30-29.
 
Watson made 4-of-8 shots from the field and was 12-of-14 from the line while Derksen knocked down 8-of-10 free throws en route to his 15 points.
 
Portland was led by Kevin Bailey's 20 points while three other Pilots chipped in 12.
 
The Dons made 6-of-12 three-pointers and shot 56 percent from the field in the first half and led the Pilots, 40-36 at intermission. Tollefsen scored 10 of his 15 points over the first 20 minutes. His three-pointer capped an 11-0 run as the Dons built their largest lead of the first half at 13-5 at the 13:30 mark.
 
Early second half three-pointers by Watson and Pinkins ignited an 11-2 USF run as the Dons extended their lead to 51-38 lead at the 16:36 mark.
 
USF took its biggest lead of the game on Tollefsen's driving layup that gave the Dons a 65-48 advantage with 8:31 remaining, capping a 25-12 run to start the second half.
 
The Pilots used a 7-0 run to cut the lead to 65-55 but a Tollefsen three swung the momentum back to USF and gave the Dons a 68-55 lead with 5:29 remaining.
 
Portland managed to get the lead under 10 points at 80-71 with :48 left, but the Dons made their last six free throws to ice the game.
 
The Dons will return to action next Saturday when USF travels to Santa Clara to face the Broncos. Tip-off is set for 3:00 p.m.