PORTLAND, Ore. – Kyle Ingram tipped in a missed layup with eight seconds left in regulation to give the Idaho State Bengals a 66-65 road victory over the Portland Pilots Tuesday night at the Chiles Center. Portland's chance to win the game ended with a turnover on the ensuing possession as the Bengals snapped a four-game losing streak with the win.
The Pilots (4-6) took a 65-64 lead on a pair of free throws by Gabe Taylor with 23 seconds remaining. Following a timeout Ethan Telfair drove the lane but missed his layup attempt. Ingram batted the rebound twice with the second effort rolling in for the game-winning points.
Portland senior Bryce Pressley led the Pilots with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Taylor added 12 points.
The Bengals (3-4) were paced by Telfair's 21 points, four assists and four steals. Gary Chivichyan came off the bench to score 18 points on 6-of-11 three-pointers, including four in the final 5:20 of regulation.
The Pilots appeared to take control with a 7-0 run capped by an Alec Wintering three-pointer with 6:45 to take a 54-47 lead, but the Chivichyan caught fire.
He followed a Telfair three-pointer and jumper by making three straight three-pointers to put the Bengals ahead 61-60. Taylor made one of two free throws and then Chivichyan drilled another tough triple for a 64-61 edge.
The Pilots had more free throw opportunities, but Taylor and Wintering each split a pair before Taylor's final two to put the Pilots ahead in the closing seconds.
Portland continued its struggles at the foul line and finished 10-of-16 on the night, compared to Idaho State at 9-for-11.
The Bengals shot just 38 percent from the field, but drilled 11-of-28 three-pointers, including nine in the second half. The Pilots finished at 39 percent overall and 7-of-22 from beyond the arc.
Portland outrebounded the Bengals by a 42-36 margin and both teams committed 14 turnovers.
The Pilots will look to rebound against a tough Sacramento State squad that visits the Chiles Center on Saturday at 7 p.m. The Hornets (6-2) have posted wins over Arizona State, UC Davis and Pacific (Calif.) already this season. Radio coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. on 910 ESPN-Portland (KMTT), while live video coverage will be available on TheW.tv.