
Mackinnon leads Portland against Santa Clara after 24-point performance
Associated Press
Santa Clara Broncos (15-9, 7-4 WCC) at Portland Pilots (8-16, 3-8 WCC)
Portland, Oregon; Thursday, 10 p.m. EST
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Broncos -14; over/under is 153.5
BOTTOM LINE: Portland takes on Santa Clara after Max Mackinnon scored 24 points in Portland's 84-64 victory over the Pepperdine Waves.
The Pilots are 6-6 on their home court. Portland is 6-13 in games decided by 10 or more points.
The Broncos have gone 7-4 against WCC opponents. Santa Clara is sixth in the WCC allowing 73.3 points while holding opponents to 43.6% shooting.
Portland is shooting 42.9% from the field this season, 0.7 percentage points lower than the 43.6% Santa Clara allows to opponents. Santa Clara averages 10.0 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.4 fewer makes per game than Portland allows.
The Pilots and Broncos match up Thursday for the first time in conference play this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: A.Rapp is scoring 13.9 points per game and averaging 6.2 rebounds for the Pilots. Mackinnon is averaging 1.8 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Adama Bal is averaging 13.5 points for the Broncos. Carlos Stewart is averaging 13.6 points over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Pilots: 3-7, averaging 71.4 points, 29.0 rebounds, 15.1 assists, 4.9 steals and 2.9 blocks per game while shooting 41.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 84.4 points per game.
Broncos: 6-4, averaging 79.0 points, 32.7 rebounds, 16.1 assists, 6.0 steals and 2.3 blocks per game while shooting 47.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 73.2 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
recommended

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

NBC Sports
2 hours ago
- NBC Sports
J.K. Dobbins on Broncos: "We're going to do great things this year"
Former Ravens and Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins has officially joined the Broncos. And he's very happy to be in Denver. 'It felt amazing,' Dobbins said regarding the signing of a one-year contract. 'It's a true blessing to me. I'm so happy to be here. We're going to do great things this year.' Why the Broncos? 'I felt like it was the best fit for me,' Dobbins said. 'The defense is really good — like super good. The quarterback is amazing. I like the [running back] room. [The offensive] line is amazing as well. It was a no-brainer — and coach Sean Payton and all the other coaches on staff, too. I know I'll get coached well here. I also heard that it's a good fan base. That's why I'm here.' He also sees a benefit in getting a chance to face the team that complicated his effort to maximize his 2025 compensation with the application of the little-used unrestricted free agent tender. 'I always have a chip on my shoulder, but that was a little weird,' Dobbins said. 'It's a business. It's for my agent to handle. Good luck to [the Chargers]. I'm a Bronco now. They have to see me twice a year. That's my thoughts on it. 'I'm going to have the chip on my shoulder, of course, but I'm here. I'm worried about winning more than just beating — I don't want to just beat the Chargers. I want to go on and I want to get a ring. I've been in the playoffs every year I've played, so I'm tired of losing in them. That's my goal. Bring a Super Bowl to the city and just be a blessing to the community, as well. Dobbins joins a backfield that is headlined by rookie RJ Harvey. Dobbins, if healthy, could end up being the top option.


USA Today
7 hours ago
- USA Today
Veteran linebacker trying out for Broncos at mandatory minicamp
Veteran linebacker trying out for Broncos at mandatory minicamp The list of seven players trying out for the Denver Broncos at mandatory minicamp this week includes Austin Ekeler's younger brother, an Australian tight end and a veteran inside linebacker. The linebacker is Milo Eifler, a 27-year-old defender who played college football at Washington and Illinois. He entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the New York Jets in 2021. Eifler has spent time with five NFL teams since then, most recently spending part of the 2024 season with the Arizona Cardinals. Eifler (6-1, 228 pounds) appeared in 13 games with the Washington Football Team/Commanders from 2021-2022, totaling four tackles on defense. He also played 259 snaps on special teams while playing in D.C. Eifler has appeared in 17 regular season games in his career, but he has never started. The Broncos are presumably giving him a look as a potential special teams contributor. Minicamp will wrap up on Thursday. Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.


USA Today
7 hours ago
- USA Today
International player trying out at Broncos mandatory minicamp
International player trying out at Broncos mandatory minicamp The Denver Broncos are taking a look at another Australian-born player. Among the seven players trying out at mandatory minicamp this week is Patrick Murtagh, a 25-year-old tight end who was a decathlete growing up before later switching to Australian rules football. He was rostered by the Gold Coast Football Club from 2020-2022 before joining the NFL's international player pathway program in 2023. Murtagh had a brief stint with the Detroit Lions early in 2023 that was cut short by a medical issue. He then went to training camp with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2024, spending the regular season on injured reserve. The Jags waived the tight end this spring. The Broncos (and all 32 NFL teams) are allowed to carry an extra international player on the practice squad during the regular season. So if Denver signs a player like Murtagh and he ends up on the practice squad, he would not count against the 16-player limit. Teams also get an extra active roster spot for an international player during the offseason. Right now, Australian punter Jeremy Crawshaw is the team's designated international player, and he does not count against the 90-man offseason roster limit. Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.