PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland led at the half and was up five early in the second half, but the Pilots shot just 30 percent from the field as the Saint Mary's Gaels pulled out a 74-64 win Saturday night before 2,883 fans at the Chiles Center.

Junior guard Bryce Pressley led the Pilots (12-9, 3-6 WCC) with a season-high18 points, while senior center Thomas van der Mars added 16 points and 13 rebounds.

Senior center Brad Waldow finished with 19 points and nine rebounds for the Gaels (16-4, 8-1), while Portland native Garrett Jackson added a season-high 18 points and eight rebounds.

Despite shooting just 29 percent in the first half, the Pilots took a 31-30 lead into the break.

A three-pointer from Bobby Sharp put Portland ahead 45-40 with 13:22 left, but the Pilots would be held scoreless over the next four minutes as Saint Mary's scored 14 unanswered points – included three consecutive three-pointers – and would push the margin to a game-high 13 points with 3:20 remaining.

The Pilots were able to cut the deficit to six points on a three by Pressley with 1:22 remaining, but that would be as close as Portland would get.

Saint Mary's shot 46 percent from the field and made 21-of-30 free throws, while Portland was just 11-of-45 from inside the arch. The Pilots also made just 18-of-27 free throws.

Portland committed a season-low five turnovers in the game and forced 10 Gaels turnovers, but the teams were equal in points of off turnovers 7-7. Saint Mary's doubled the production of the Pilots in points in the paint 32-16. The Gaels also outrebounded the Pilots 44-41.

Senior guard Kevin Bailey and sophomore point guard Alec Wintering had 13 and 10 points for the Pilots, respectively.

Kerry Carter was the third Saint Mary's player in double figures with 12.

Portland will open the second half of conference play at No. 3 Gonzaga on Thursday at 6 p.m. The game will be televised live on ROOT Sports NW and radio coverage begins at 5:30 p.m. on Sports 910 (KMTT).

GIF HIGHLIGHTS:



This big three by Bryce Pressley pulled Portland within six late in the game, but the Pilots could get no closer as the Gaels hit free throws down the stretch. Pressley finished with a season-high 18 points.
 


Thomas van der Mars collected a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds. This shot midway through the second half broke a 16-1 SMC run.
 


Kevin Bailey's outside shooting got the Pilots off to a hot start – he had 11 points in the first eight minutes, including three 3-pointers.
 


Alec Wintering finished with four assists and 10 points, two coming on this fast-break lay-in in the first half.