PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Lewis & Clark Pioneers opened their season against the West Coast Baptist Eagles Friday night at Pamplin Sports Center, winning 100-70. The Pioneers (1-0) were the first to put points on the board off a layup from Jalen Lowery and two early turnovers by the Eagles. Lewis & Clark traded the lead a few times through the first 10 minutes of play but went into the halftime break with a 49-37 advantage.

Brenden Patrick and Grant Stewart were the leading scorers for the Pioneers, combining for 41 points. The Pioneers' bench added 48 points, with contributions from almost every player who entered the game. 

Lewis & Clark outrebounded the Eagles 43-23 with 18 points off turnovers and 11 steals. They shot 55.4 percent from the field and went 12 for 15 from the free-throw line with Jayden Simpson and Patrick hitting five of five, each. They added 19 assists, six of which were from Lowery.

Head Coach Tim McCrory is looking forward to the group growing together, saying, "It was a good team win. We are looking to take what's learned and continue to build as we progress through the season."

Follow the Lewis & Clark Pioneers on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | #PiosMBB | #RollPios | #chamPIOns

Key Moments

The Pioneers found bigger momentum in the second half after the Eagles made early turnovers. Patrick and Lowery made back-to-back plays four minutes into the half to push the lead to 18 points, while Stewart's rebounds contributed to the Pioneers' 24 second-chance points. The Eagles received a technical foul with 15:14 on the clock to send Patrick to the line for two to get the Pioneers to a 22-point lead.

Sam Henderson and Ryan Trunkett combined for three of Lewis & Clark's six three-pointers, with Trunkett making back-to-back buckets off assists from Ryan Cibull and Bille Sheikh. Michael Wudel and Nik Berry also contributed a three-pointer each, with Berry making a big block with 1:20 left in the game. 

Coach McCrory said, "Our pace of play was great to start the second half. We defended and created quality shots. We need to continue to grow and reduce our turnovers."

Deeper Look

• Joseph Martin contributed four points, making two of three field goals and one assist
• Wudel matched his career-high five points in a game
• Solomon Davis went 4-8 from the line, contributing 8 points and making his first dunk
• Stewart added two big dunks in the first half, both off assists from Lowery
• Tyler McFarland and Sebastian DePrez made their debuts with the Pioneers and combined for 6 points and five rebounds
• Patrick matched his career-high 24-points in a game 
• Stewart's 17 points is a new career-high in points in a game for the forward, who went 8-8 in field goals

Looking Ahead

The Pioneers host St. Thomas on Wednesday for a 6 p.m. tip-off.