Portland gives Terry Porter first victory, 71-55 over UCR

Nov 12, 2016, 12:18 am

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Alec Wintering scored 24 points and Portland gave former NBA star and new head coach Terry Porter a victory with a 71-55 win over UC Riverside in a season opener Friday night.

Jazz Johnson added 17 points and Gabe Taylor 15 points and eight rebounds. Wintering, who was the Pilots' leading scorer last year, made 10 of 21 shots and also had eight rebounds to go with eight assists.

Malik Thames led the Highlanders with 18 points on 7-of-15 shooting. Secean Johnson added 12 points and seven rebounds and Chance Murray 11 points.

The Highlanders got within nine with 7:56 left in the game but Taylor hit a 3-pointer and the lead remained in double figures, reaching 18 points.

Porter played 17 years in the NBA, mostly with the Portland Trail Blazers, and was a two-time all-star. He was also a head coach for the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns.