The Gonzaga Bulldogs withstood Portland’s second-half comeback, holding off the Pilots 74-61 Saturday for their seventh straight win. It was the WCC opener for both schools.

Gonzaga cruised to a 47-29 halftime lead by making 50 percent of its shots and 10 of 11 free throws. The Pilots didn’t attempt a free throw in the first half.

But the Pilots (12-4) opened the second half with a 13-1 run to pull within six. GU’s lead eventually melted to 56-53, but the Bulldogs rattled off nine straight points, five by Kelly Olynyk, to rebuild their lead to 12.

Steven Gray led Gonzaga with 19 points, 13 in the first half. He was the only Zag in double figures, but eight others had between 4 and 9 points.

Nemanja Mitrovic paced Portland with 16 points, but the Pilots were stung by 20 turnovers. Gonzaga Prep grad Ryan Nicholas scored four points for the Pilots in the last minute.

More in two hours.