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Portland, OR - The Portland Pilots took the city basketball rivalry for the fourth year in a row, beating Portland State, 83-71, at the Chiles Center.

After building a 27-point lead, the Pilots had to withstand a furious second-half Viking rally. PSU cut the deficit to nine with just under three minutes to play but that was as close as the Vikings would get. 

It was the PSU's second straight road loss as PSU dropped to 4-2 on the season. Portland, members of the West Coast Conference, improved to 6-1.

The Pilots started two players that stood 6-11 or taller, and played two others at that height. But it was their shortest player, 5-11 Alec Wintering, who put them on top early. Wintering had 10 points in the first 10 minutes and the Pilots built a seven-point lead at 23-16. 

That advantage grew to 33-19 on a Bobby Sharp three-pointer with 5:35 left in the half. That capped a 19-3 Pilots run.

The poor shooting (.258) that plagued the Vikings in an 81-59 loss at Oregon on Sunday night appeared again against the Pilots. PSU shot only 7-27 from the field in the first half (.259) and trailed 41-24 at the break.

Portland used its superior size to out-rebound the Vikings 27-12 in the first half, including eight on the offensive glass. Wintering led all scorers with 17 points by halftime.

Posts Voldy Gerun and Thomas van der Mars, both 6-11, combined to score eight of the first 10 points of the second half for the Pilots. That had them at a 51-29 lead that the Vikings could not overcome.

Portland's largest lead was 27 at 72-45 with with 7:47 left in the game. PSU closed it to 74-65 with 2:52 left sparked by eight points each from DaShaun Wiggins and Iziahiah Sweeney.

Wintering was the best player on the court on this night though. He scored a game-high 27 points, hitting 7-12 field goals and 11-13 free throws, and had six assists. van der Mars hit 6-6 field goals in the second half, and 9-9 in the game for 19 points and a game-high 14 rebounds.

Portland State had five players in double figures led by 13 points each from Tiegbe Bamba and Wiggins. Bryce White and Tim Douglas both had 12 points.

PSU finished at 24-60 from the field (.400), while Portland was 31-62 (.500). The Pilots out-rebounded the Vikings, 44-27.

Portland State had won four straight against Portland in the series (2006-09), but since then, the Pilots have won the last four meetings.

GAME NOTES: Gary Winston did not play for the Vikings due to a hip flexor injury… Tiegbe Bamba did not start, but played. He had not practiced due to a calf injury… PSU is 2-2 on the road this season… Portland State plays the fourth of four straight road games this Saturday when it travels to UC Riverside. Game time is 5 p.m. Live video, audio and statistics can all be found at GoViks.com by clicking on the Game Day box.