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Myron Medcalf
Multiple Authors
Guided by their injured head coach with the assistance of a knee caddy, Portland achieved one of the most remarkable upsets in its history on Wednesday night, defeating No. 6 Gonzaga 87-80.
This victory ended the Pilots’ (11-14, 4-8 West Coast Conference) 30-game losing streak against AP top-10 teams, marking the Bulldogs’ (22-2, 10-1) first loss to a team with a losing record since January 22, 2011, breaking a streak of 141 consecutive wins, per ESPN Research.
The win came shortly after Portland coach Shantay Legans got injured while participating in the scout team to prepare his squad for a two-game road trip, as injuries and illnesses had left the Pilots short-staffed.
“Many mentors advise against playing after 40 years old,” Legans, 44, shared on the Field of 68 Podcast Network before the game.
“We were reviewing some basic zone defense and offense when my Achilles snapped — it couldn’t have been timed worse,” he recounted. “Old teammates teased that they quit playing. ‘You’re past that now.’ That’s where we are [as a team]: battered.”
Legans reflected that Portland had been close to victory in several games this season but finally delivered a complete performance against a formidable opponent. The Pilots had previously lost three WCC matches decided by five points or fewer.
This time against Gonzaga, though, the Pilots excelled, making 66 percent of their shots inside the arc and 44 percent from beyond the three-point line, showcasing impressive offensive skills against a top-15 defense. Freshman Joel Foxwell led the game with 27 points, surpassing Gonzaga star Graham Ike, who contributed 24 points for his team.
Gonzaga’s final lead came with 6:55 remaining in the first half when Mark Few’s team was up by two. but, that lead evaporated quickly, and Portland held a 15-point advantage late in the second half.
This matchup was Gonzaga’s last visit to Portland before they move to the Pac-12 from the WCC this summer.
After the victory, Legans noted that this wasn’t his first encounter with an Achilles injury incurred during a basketball game he likely should have skipped.
“While going through the motions, I tore my Achilles [last week], but that’s just part of life. I shouldn’t be out there,” Legans commented regarding his recent injury post-game. “I tore my other Achilles playing one-on-one with a player seven years ago. This injury was worse, but it’s fine. It all turned out well. We won the game. I’ll take an Achilles tear for a few victories.”
