Portland delivered one of the most surprising results of the college basketball season on Wednesday night, upsetting No. 6 Gonzaga 87-80 and rewriting a small piece of program history in the process. The win marked the Pilots’ first-ever victory over a top-10 opponent and snapped Gonzaga’s 15-game winning streak.
It was also a breakthrough moment in a rivalry that has long been one-sided. Portland had not beaten Gonzaga since January 9, 2014, and the Bulldogs had won the previous 20 meetings between the two teams. This time, the script flipped in front of an energized home crowd.
Joel Foxwell was at the center of it all. He scored 27 points with confidence and control, setting the tone early and delivering big shots whenever Gonzaga threatened to take over. James O’Donnell added 16 points and provided the defining moment late in the game with a powerful dunk that effectively sealed the upset.
Coming into the night, Portland had little external expectation. The Pilots were listed as a 21.5-point underdog by BetMGM Sportsbook and were fresh off a heavy loss at Washington State. Instead of carrying that baggage, they played freely and aggressively, moving the ball well and attacking the paint.
Gonzaga, by contrast, never fully found its rhythm. Despite coming off a solid win over Saint Mary’s, the Bulldogs struggled defensively from the opening minutes. Portland jumped out to a 15-5 lead, forcing Gonzaga to play catch-up much earlier than usual.
Graham Ike led Gonzaga with 24 points and 10 rebounds, continuing his strong season. The Bulldogs briefly took a first-half lead after Mario Saint-Supery hit a three-pointer, but Portland responded quickly and went into halftime ahead 39-33.
The Pilots kept pushing after the break. Cameron Williams knocked down a three to extend the lead, and Foxwell’s shooting continued to stretch Gonzaga’s defense. With under six minutes remaining, O’Donnell’s layup made it 75-60, sending the crowd into full voice.
Gonzaga did make a late push. Saint-Supery hit another three, and Ike and Braeden Smith added key buckets to cut the deficit to four. But Portland stayed composed, traded free throws, and finished strong.
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When the final buzzer sounded, the result felt bigger than a single game. For Portland, it was proof of progress and belief. For Gonzaga, it was a reminder that even the most consistent teams can be caught on the wrong night.
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