Portland Stuns Sixth-Ranked Gonzaga in Historic WCC Upset

Joel Foxwell scored 27 points and Portland pulled off one of the most stunning upsets in college basketball this season, defeating sixth-ranked Gonzaga 87-80 on Wednesday night to give the Pilots their first victory over a top-10 team in program history. The 21.5-point underdog Pilots snapped the Bulldogs' 15-game winning streak in front of a raucous home crowd at Chiles Center, marking the largest upset in a West Coast Conference game over the past 30 seasons.

Five Pilots scored in double figures as Portland (11-14, 4-8 WCC) bounced back from a devastating 104-74 loss at Washington State just days earlier. James O'Donnell added 16 points for the Pilots, who came out firing and never let Gonzaga (22-2, 10-1 WCC) take control. Portland jumped out to an early 15-5 lead after back-to-back jumpers from Foxwell and led 39-33 at halftime following Garrett Nuckolls' layup. The Pilots' advantage swelled to 15 points in the second half before Gonzaga mounted a late charge.

Graham Ike had 24 points and 10 rebounds for Gonzaga, which entered the game having won 14 straight conference games and riding high as one of the nation's elite teams at 22-1. The Bulldogs struggled from the opening tip, unable to establish their typically dominant inside presence or find their shooting rhythm against Portland's inspired defense. Gonzaga managed to claw back in the final two minutes, pulling within 84-80 on David Fogel's layup with just 30 seconds remaining.

But O'Donnell delivered the dagger with a thunderous dunk with 23 seconds to go, sealing the victory and sending Portland fans storming toward the court in celebration. The win represents the highest-ranked opponent Portland has ever defeated and snapped the Pilots' own three-game losing streak in dramatic fashion. For Gonzaga, the loss ended any hopes of an undefeated conference season and served as a humbling reminder that no game can be taken for granted.

Portland's coaching staff deserves immense credit for the game plan and preparation, especially considering head coach Shantay Legans was dealing with a torn Achilles suffered just before the game. The Pilots executed flawlessly on both ends of the floor, shooting efficiently while limiting Gonzaga's transition opportunities. This victory will resonate throughout the West Coast Conference and could provide momentum for Portland as the season enters its final stretch.

The upset sends shockwaves through college basketball rankings and March Madness projections, as Gonzaga will likely drop several spots in next week's polls. For Portland, this is a signature win that validates the program's progress under Legans and gives the Pilots a statement victory to build upon as they continue their conference schedule.