PORTLAND, Ore. (Interstat) — The Portland Pilots delivered a major upset Wednesday night, defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs 87-80 at a sold-out Chiles Center. Despite entering as heavy underdogs, Portland used efficient shooting and a standout performance from Joel Foxwell to secure the West Coast Conference victory. Foxwell led all scorers with 27 points for the Pilots, who shot 59.3% from the field. Gonzaga’s Graham Ike countered with 24 points, but the Bulldogs struggled offensively, hitting just 40% of their shots. Portland built a 39-33 halftime lead and maintained control throughout the second half, capitalizing on a 40-26 advantage in points in the paint. The loss snapped a long winning streak for Gonzaga, which fell to 22-2. Portland improved to 11-14.

PORTLAND, Ore. (Interstat) — In a stunning upset that defied both the odds and recent history, the Portland Pilots delivered a commanding performance to defeat the No. [redacted] Gonzaga Bulldogs 87-80 in a West Coast Conference men’s basketball game Wednesday night at a raucous Chiles Center. The victory snapped a 24-game losing streak for Portland against Gonzaga dating back to 2014 and marked the Pilots’ first home win over the Bulldogs since 2003. Entering the game as a 20-point underdog with a projected win probability of less than two percent, Portland played with a precision and poise that Gonzaga could not match, leading for over 38 minutes of the contest. The most critical phase of the game came early, as Portland established a tone of dominance that would last the night. After Gonzaga’s Braeden Smith opened the scoring with a 3-pointer, the Pilots erupted with a 15-2 run, fueled by the inside-outside combination of Joel Foxwell and Jermaine Ballisager Webb. Foxwell, the dynamic guard from Melbourne, Australia, scored or assisted on Portland’s first four field goals. The Pilots’ surgical efficiency was starkly evident in the first half, as they shot 64 percent from the field while building a 39-33 lead. Gonzaga, by contrast, was plagued by poor shooting and uncharacteristic carelessness, hitting just 34 percent of its shots and committing nine turnovers before halftime. Portland’s offensive execution was nearly flawless. The Pilots finished the game shooting 59 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free-throw line. They dominated the interior, outscoring Gonzaga 40-26 in the paint, and committed a mere two turnovers in the second half. Equally telling was the assist column, where Portland’s 21 assists on 32 made field goals underscored a shared, cohesive attack, while Gonzaga managed only eight assists on 26 baskets. Foxwell was the catalyst, finishing with 27 points and eight assists in 38 minutes, controlling the tempo and consistently breaking down the Gonzaga defense. He received ample support from a formidable frontcourt. James O’Donnell of Sydney added 16 points off the bench, and the 7-foot-1 Dane Jermaine Ballisager Webb posted 13 points, five assists and anchored the defense. Cameron Williams contributed 14 points. Gonzaga, which fell to 22-2 overall, was led by Graham Ike’s 24 points, but the Bulldogs struggled to find any consistent rhythm. They shot 40 percent overall and just 33 percent from 3-point range. Despite forcing 15 Portland turnovers and grabbing 12 offensive rebounds, the Bulldogs could not overcome their own offensive inefficiency, posting an offensive rating of 107.6, well below Portland’s mark of 115.2. The Bulldogs made several pushes in the second half, closing to within four points on multiple occasions, but each time Portland had an answer. A key sequence came with just over 13 minutes remaining when Gonzaga, trailing 53-49, forced a turnover, but a subsequent missed layup led to a Foxwell 3-pointer at the other end, pushing the lead back to seven. Gonzaga never got closer than five points the rest of the way, as the Pilots closed the game by making 10 of their final 12 free throws. The loss is just the second of the season for Gonzaga, which had won 12 consecutive games. The Bulldogs will look to rebound on the road at Oregon State on Saturday. Portland, which improved to 11-14, will host Seattle on Saturday, riding a wave of confidence from its most significant victory in decades. The announced attendance was 3,345.

PORTLAND, Ore. (Interstat) — The No. 1-ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs, boasting one of the nation’s most dominant records, aim to continue their march through the West Coast Conference when they visit the Portland Pilots on Wednesday night at Chiles Center. Gonzaga (22-1, 9-0 WCC) arrives having won 12 consecutive games, most recently a 73-65 victory over Saint Mary’s on Jan. 31. The Bulldogs’ potent offense, averaging over 82 points per game, is fueled by star forward Graham Ike. The standout big man is averaging 29 points over his last three contests, including a 30-point performance against the Gaels. Portland (10-14, 3-6) looks to halt a three-game skid and secure a program-defining upset. The Pilots are coming off a 104-74 road loss to Washington State. Their hopes will lean heavily on guard Joel Foxwell, who has been a bright spot during the losing streak, scoring 21 points against the Cougars and 27 in a close loss to Saint Mary’s on Jan. 24. The matchup presents a stark contrast. Gonzaga has dominated conference play, winning its WCC games by an average margin of 18.7 points. Portland has struggled for consistency, though it has shown resilience at home with league wins over Oregon State and Pacific in overtime earlier this month. Historically, Gonzaga has controlled the series, winning the last 24 meetings. In their first clash this season on Jan. 2, the Bulldogs needed overtime to defeat Seattle, a team Portland will face next on Saturday. The Pilots will need a near-perfect performance to challenge a Gonzaga team with national championship aspirations. The Bulldogs’ upcoming schedule includes a road game at Oregon State on Saturday. Portland hosts Seattle in its next contest.