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PORTLAND, Ore. --- Luke Sikma converted a key layup and made two steals in the final minute of overtime as the Portland Pilots pulled out an 80-75 victory over the Saint Mary’s Gaels before 2,774 at the Chiles Center Saturday night. Senior point guard T.J. Campbell matched his career-high with 24 points and added seven assists to lead the Pilots, who moved within a half game of Saint Mary’s for second place in the West Coast Conference standings.

Sikma recorded his fifth double-double of the season and finished with 12 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and three steals. Jared Stohl added 16 points, while Robin Smeulders chipped in 10 for the Pilots (16-8, 7-3).

The Gaels (21-5, 8-3) were led by junior point guard Mickey McConnell’s 25 points. Omar Samhan finished with 18 points and 14 rebounds before fouling out with 1:31 remaining in overtime.

Portland led the entire second half before back-to-back baskets by McConnell and Samhan gave the Gaels a 72-70 lead with 40 seconds remaining in regulation. Campbell made a driving layup with 25 seconds on the clock and then Sikma drew an offensive foul on McConnell with four seconds left to put it into overtime.

Portland reserve center Jasonn Hannibal won the extra period jump ball and then made a turn-around jumper to give the Pilots a two-point lead early. McConnell then hit a 30 foot prayer off the backboard just before the shot clock expired to give Saint Mary’s the lead back. After a Smeulders free throw, Sikma stripped McConnell and dove on the ball to give the Pilots the possession. He then finished a nice pass from Campbell at the rim to put the Pilots up 77-75 with 47 seconds left and then rebounded a Gaels’ miss at the other end.

Ethan Niedermeyer was fouled and made one-of-two free throws to give the Pilots a three-point lead with 16 seconds remaining. Out of a timeout, Matthew Dellavedova drove the lane and tried to pass out to Ben Allen for a three-pointer, but Sikma intercepted the pass and handed it off to Campbell who was immediately fouled. Campbell iced the game with two free throws.

Portland committed just five turnovers in the contest and dished out 16 assists. The Gaels entered the game with the best assist-to-turnover ratio in the conference, but were forced into 15 turnovers and held to 12 assists.

After trailing most of the first period and by as much as 11 points, the Pilots closed the half with a 15-2 run over the final 3:05 which included two three-pointers by Stohl and one by Campbell. Stohl had 14 first-half points to pace the Pilots.

Portland will make their final regular season road trip of the season next week in Southern California. The Pilots will take on Pepperdine on Thursday at 5 p.m. (FSN Prime Ticket) and then face Loyola Marymount on Saturday at 7 p.m. Thursday's game will be on 970 AM, while Saturday's contest will be aired live on 95.5 The Game FM.