Portland Stuns No. 6 Gonzaga in One of the Biggest Upsets in Recent College Hoops Memory
What was supposed to be a routine win for No. 6 Gonzaga turned into a full-blown shocker Wednesday night, as Portland pulled off a stunning 87-80 victory that will be talked about for years to come. This wasn’t just a good night for the Pilots - it was a seismic moment in college basketball, the kind that gets etched into program lore and replayed in March Madness montages for decades.
Let’s be clear: this was no fluke. Portland didn’t just hang around and steal one late - they controlled this game.
The Pilots, who came into the night with an 11-14 record and sitting near the bottom of the West Coast Conference standings, snapped a 30-game losing streak against AP top-10 opponents. That’s not just a stat - that’s a generational drought.
And they ended it in style.
Meanwhile, Gonzaga - a program that’s built its reputation on consistency and dominance - hadn’t lost to a team with a sub-.500 record since January 22, 2011. That’s 141 straight wins against teams with losing records. That streak is now history.
The Backstory: Injuries, Illness, and a Torn Achilles
If you’re wondering just how improbable this upset was, consider what Portland was dealing with leading up to tip-off. Head coach Shantay Legans had torn his Achilles just a week ago - not during a game, but while running scout team because so many of his players were sick. That’s right: the coach had to step in at practice, and it cost him dearly.
“Going through the motions, I tore my Achilles, but that’s life. I shouldn’t be out there,” Legans said postgame.
“I tore my other one seven years ago playing one-on-one with one of our players. This one was worse, though.
But it’s okay. It worked out.
We won the game. I’ll take an Achilles for a couple of wins.”
That quote sums it up - a little pain, a lot of pride, and a win that makes it all worth it.
How It Happened: Portland Took Control Early, Never Let Go
From the jump, Portland played like the hungrier team. Gonzaga never led after the 6:55 mark of the first half, and that’s not something we’re used to saying about a Mark Few-coached squad. The Zags came in as 22.5-point favorites - and walked out with a seven-point loss.
Joel Foxwell was the engine for the Pilots, pouring in 27 points and dishing out 8 assists. He played with poise, confidence, and a clear sense that this was his game to take. Every time Gonzaga made a push, Foxwell had an answer - a big shot, a smart pass, a calm possession to settle things down.
For Gonzaga, Graham Ike did everything he could to keep his team in it, finishing with 24 points, 10 boards, and three assists. He was a force inside, but the Zags just couldn’t string together enough stops or find a rhythm offensively when it mattered most.
What It Means
For Portland, this is more than just a win - it’s a program-defining moment. It’s the kind of victory that energizes a fan base, helps in recruiting, and reminds everyone that anything can happen on a college basketball court. Especially in February, when teams are starting to think about seeding, tournaments, and momentum.
For Gonzaga, it’s a wake-up call. The Bulldogs are still one of the most talented teams in the country, but this loss will sting. Not just because of the opponent, but because of how it happened - a lack of urgency, defensive lapses, and a failure to match Portland’s energy and execution.
There’s still plenty of season left, and Gonzaga has the tools to bounce back. But this one?
This one’s going to leave a mark. And for Portland, it’s a night they’ll never forget.