PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland overcame a 21-point second half deficit and had chances to take the lead late but came up short as VMI held on for a 90-82 win Friday night at the Chiles Center. The loss drops the Pilots to 7-3 overall and 4-1 at home, while the Keydets improve to 5-4 overall. Portland set a new single-game record with 18 three-pointers made, breaking the previous mark of 16 versus Idaho on Dec. 22, 2009.

Chris Austin led the Pilots with a career-high 26 points including six three-pointers. Moses Wood finished with 20 points while Tyler Robertson recorded his second double-double of the year with 19 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.

All five VMI starters reached double figures with Jake Stephens and Tanner Mans finished with 18 each. Sean Conway added 11 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.

VMI found their form early by knocking down nine first half three-pointers. The game was tied at 15 when the Keydets used an 18-3 run to jump out to a 33-18 lead. A tip-in just before the halftime buzzer by Lewis Rowe made it 49-31 at the break and VMI led 52-31 after a Kamdyn Curfman three to open the second half.

That's when the Pilots stormed back. Austin and Robertson hit consecutive threes to cap an 8-0 run. The Keydets went up 65-51 but Portland used a 13-0 run highlighted by a pair of Kristian Sjolund three-pointers to get the Chiles Center crowd engaged. Wood capped the run with a three-pointer to force a timeout and make it a 65-64 deficit with 7:15 remaining.

The Pilots had a chance to take the lead after a stop, but missed the front end of a 1-and-1 and came up empty on the next two possessions as VMI regained their footing and pushed the lead to seven. The Keydets then used a 12-0 run to take control as the Pilots went five minutes without a field goal until a Mike Meadows three-pointer with 31 seconds left.

The Keydets shot 44 percent from the floor, made 15-of-36 three-pointers and 21-of-24 free throws. Portland finished at 40 percent overall, 18-for-46 from three-point range and 14-of-18 at the foul line.

VMI gained a 42-27 rebounding advantage and outscored the Pilots 22-10 in the paint.

Portland will get an extended break from competition with Finals Week coming up. The Pilots with take a 10-day hiatus before returning the Chiles Center to host Cal Poly on Monday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. That begins a stretch of four games in six days. Portland visits Oregon on Dec. 15 and then hosts San Jose State on Dec. 17 at 6 p.m. before closing out non-conference play with road games at Montana State (Dec. 19) and UC Davis (Dec. 22).

Tickets for all upcoming Pilot home games are available by visiting PortlandPilots.com/Tickets.