Class of 2011 record: 68-55 (most successfull since 1982)
(Bryan Brenize -- The Beacon)
By Bruce Garlinghouse, Staff Writer -- garlingh13@up.edu
Last Saturday as the Pilots defeated Santa Clara 78-68, parents, players and fans gathered in the Chiles Center to celebrate the last home game of four seniors who have been a part of the most successful seasons the Pilots have seen in decades.
"It's why we came here," senior Kramer Knutson said. "Coach told us he was going to turn things around and we wanted to be a part of that."
Head Coach Eric Reveno said every senior night is emotional, but this one was different because of what these seniors have accomplished.
"To me, senior night is really important. This one had an added significance because of what they have done for the program," Reveno said.
Reveno added that the hardest part of senior night isn't seeing his players play at home for the last time, but watching the parents.
"I don't like seeing the moms cry. It chokes me up," Reveno said. "But the moms this year held it together so I was OK."
While at Portland, Knutson, Luke Sikma, Jared Stohl and Jasonn Hannibal helped the Pilots reach their second 20-win season as a Division 1 institution and its first top 25 ranking in 50 years.
Knutson sat out the game because of a back injury sustained in the previous game against San Francisco.
But Sikma, Stohl and Hannibal took full advantage of their last opportunity to play in Chiles.
Sikma scored his league-leading 13th double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Earlier that week against San Francisco, Sikma became the 34th player in Portland history to score 1,000 points, joining Stohl as the second person to acheive the milestone this season.
Stohl added 15 points, five rebounds and four assists, knocking down three three-pointers.
Stohl, who led the nation in three-point percentage last season, said he'll miss shooting in the Chiles Center or what he calls the "Stroke Center."
"It's definitely a shooter's gym," Stohl said.
Hannibal had arguably the game's best play when he dunked over a Santa Clara defender.
"I was really pumped. Plays like that make your confidence go up," Hannibal said.
That increase in confidence was apparent as he proceeded to score a career-high 15 points.
Sikma said the game was a bittersweet moment.
"The week leading up was a build up of nervousness and excitement. It was a mix of emotions," Sikma said. "But we won the game and that was what's important so that was satisfying."
While a win on senior night was big for the seniors, it was also a big win for the team as they head into their final two games of conference play.
The Pilots are currently fifth in the WCC, but wins over San Diego and St. Mary's would ensure fourth place for the Pilots. With a fourth place spot, the Pilots would have a bye in the first round of the WCC tournament.
The Pilots play San Diego in San Diego tonight at 8 p.m. and then head to Moraga, Calif. to play St. Mary's Saturday.
Luke Sikma -1st all time for UP in rebounds -2nd all time for UP in blocked shots -4th all time for UP in games played
Jared Stohl -1st all time for UP in three-point field goals -1st in national three-point percentage 2009-10 -2nd all time three-point percentage at UP -5th all time for UP in games played
Kramer Knutson -1st all time for UP in starts -7th all time for UP in games played
Jasonn Hannibal -8th all time for UP in games played
