STOCKTON, Calif. – In a game that could have gone either way, the Pacific men's basketball program finished on the short end of a 65-60 decision to Portland on Thursday at the Alex G. Spanos Center.
 
The game was tied 55-55 at the final media timeout when Portland (8-15, 2-6 WCC) did just enough down the stretch to overtake Pacific (6-17, 0-8 WCC). The contest featured nine ties and four lead changes, and both teams led for over 18 minutes.
 
A career night came from sophomore Makai Richards. He poured in a career-high 17 points and matched his career-highs of eight rebounds and two blocks.

A hot hand also came from senior Judson Martindale. He drilled a season-high four three-pointers and netted a team-high 19 points.
 
Sophomore Moe Odum was a key contributor with six points, six assists and no turnovers. He helped Pacific commit just five turnovers as a team in the match up.
 
The Tigers outrebounded the Pilots 33-32. They also dominated in the paint where they outscored Portland 30-14.
 
The Pilots were led by Vukasin Masic's 23 points and seven rebounds. Juan Sebastian Gorosito tallied 19 points and six assists in 40 minutes.
 
Pacific got off to a hot start as a fast break lay-up by senior Donovan Williams and a jumper by Richards made it 10-6 with 16:27 to go. Though, Portland answered with a 14-2 run to grab a 20-12 edge with 10:26 left.
 
The Tigers chipped away at the deficit and cut it to 20-19 after a field goal by Williams with 6:22 left. However, Portland ended the half strong and carried a 30-24 advantage headed into the locker room.
 
The Pilots extended it to 33-24 when Pacific came charging back. A three by Martindale sparked a 10-0 run, and Martindale hit another to go ahead 34-33 at the 17:55 mark. A big dunk by Richards upped it to 39-33 with 16:18 remaining.
 
The Tigers were still in front 48-44 after a drive by Martindale with 10:01 left. Pacific's last lead 54-52 came after a free throw by Richards with 4:52 to go.
 
Portland only made one field goal in the final 2:28 but got stops defensively and hit eight free throws to close it out.
 
Pacific will conclude the weekend on the road Saturday in a 7 p.m. game at San Francisco. The Tigers will look to avenge a 92-88 overtime defeat to the Dons in the conference opener as senior Lesown Hallums, Jr. netted a career-high 25 points.
 

MAKAI DUNK!

Pacific 34, Portland 33#PacificProud | #WCCHoops pic.twitter.com/tYxT9mWWa0

— Pacific Men's Basketball (@PacificMensBB) February 2, 2024

NOTES
- Pacific is now 804-448 all-time at home and 341-215 in the Spanos Center.
 
- Pacific moved to 31-17 all-time against Portland and 20-5 at home. The Tigers beat the Pilots 81-77 at home last season.
 
- The Tigers have posted a positive turnover margin in six of eight WCC games. The five turnovers marked a season low.
 
- Richards nearly doubled his previous career-high of nine points at Pepperdine on Jan. 11. He was 8-of-12 from the field. Richards last recorded eight rebounds in the season opener against Sam Houston on Nov. 6, 2023.
 
- Martindale drained his 38th career double-figure scoring game and 11th this year. He leads the team in scoring with 10.5 points per game and is shooting .398 (35-88) from beyond-the-arc.
 
- Odum entered the game ranked second in the conference in both assists (4.7 apg) and assist:turnover ratio (2.4). He'll see both his averages go up after recording six assists and no turnovers.
 
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