MORAGA, Calif. – The Saint Mary's Gaels jumped out to an early double-digit lead and never looked back in a 65-48 victory over the Portland Pilots Thursday night at McKeon Pavilion. Sophomore guard Marcus Shaver Jr. led the Pilots with 13 points, while Malik Fitts finished with 17 points and eight rebounds for Saint Mary's.

The Gaels improved to 20-10 overall and 11-4 in West Coast Conference play with the victory, while the Pilots fall to 7-23 and 0-15 in the league. Saint Mary's has secured its 12th consecutive 20-win season, while the Portland losing streak extends to 16 games.

Saint Mary's used back-to-back three-pointers by Tanner Krebs and Jordan Ford to grab an early 17-6 lead. Ford then beat the halftime buzzer with a runner in the lane for a 34-17 halftime lead. The Pilots were held to 28 percent shooting in the first period.

The margin grew to as much as much as 26 points midway through the second half, but the Pilot reserves provided a late lift down the stretch. Freshman center Hugh Hogland grabbed a season-high nine rebounds off the bench, while Jacob Tryon and Crisshawn Clark added seven and six points, respectively.

The Gaels shot 46 percent overall and made 11-of-26 three-pointers, while the Pilots finished at 34 percent and 3-for-13 from beyond the arc. Portland finished with just four assists on 18 made baskets. Both teams took care of the basketball as each finished with just six turnovers.

Ford entered the game as the leading scorer in the WCC at nearly 22 points per game, but was held to 15 points on Thursday on 4-of-9 shooting.

Portland will close out the regular season back home at the Chiles Center in a Saturday basketball doubleheader for Senior Night. The Pilot women host Pepperdine at 4:30 p.m., followed by the men vs. Santa Clara at 7 p.m.

Portland will honor its four players that will graduate in May prior to tip-off: Crisshawn Clark, Xavier Hallinan, Josh McSwiggan and Franklin Porter. Fans can purchase one ticket for both games and will have a chance to win a $500 AAA Travel gift card as well as two tickets to the upcoming WCC Basketball Championships next week in Las Vegas. Tickets can be purchased at PortlandPilots.com/Tickets.