PORTLAND, Ore. (Interstat) — In a tense, back-and-forth contest defined by key runs and crucial free throws down the stretch, the Portland Pilots edged the Oregon State Beavers 82-76 in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Saturday night at Chiles Center.

A crowd of 1,894 saw the Pilots improve to 9-10 overall, matching the season record of the Beavers, who also fell to 9-10. The game was a statistical dead heat for much of the night, with Portland holding a narrow 39-38 lead at halftime before outscoring Oregon State 43-38 in the second half to secure the victory.

The most pivotal segment of the game occurred in the final three minutes, transforming a one-possession contest into a two-possession Portland lead that proved insurmountable. With Portland ahead 71-69, Oregon State’s Yaak Yaak was fouled and calmly sank two free throws to tie the game with 3:19 remaining. The Pilots responded immediately on their next possession, as Joel Foxwell found Jermaine Ballisager Webb for an alley-oop dunk to retake the lead. After an Oregon State miss, Ballisager Webb was fouled and made both free throws, extending the lead to 75-71.

Oregon State’s Olavi Suutela missed a three-pointer on the ensuing trip, and after a defensive stop, Portland’s Mikah Ballew delivered the decisive blow. With 1:10 left on the clock and the shot clock winding down, Ballew connected on a critical three-pointer off an assist from Foxwell, pushing the Pilot advantage to 78-71 and effectively sealing the outcome. The Beavers were forced to foul in the final minute, and Portland’s backcourt of Foxwell and Ballew combined to go 6-for-6 from the free-throw line to close out the win.

Portland was led by a dominant performance from Cameron Williams. The junior forward from Cape Girardeau, Missouri, scored 23 points, showcasing an efficient inside game and contributing key rebounds and defensive plays. His frontcourt partner, 7-foot-1 center Jermaine Ballisager Webb of Denmark, added 18 points and three assists, providing a physical presence that challenged Oregon State all night. The Pilot backcourt was equally instrumental, with Australian guard Joel Foxwell scoring 18 points and dishing out five assists, while Mikah Ballew of Palmdale, California, chipped in 16 points, including the game-sealing three-pointer.

Oregon State’s effort was spearheaded by Finnish forward Olavi Suutela, who scored 19 points and blocked a shot in 28 minutes of action. He was supported by a strong bench performance from fellow Scandinavian big man Johan Munch of Copenhagen, Denmark, who scored 14 points in just 15 minutes. The Beavers’ guard trio of Josiah Lake (10 points, six assists), Dez White (10 points, four assists) and Yaak Yaak (10 points) all reached double figures, but the team could not find enough stops or key baskets in the game’s final moments.

The game began at a brisk pace, with both teams trading baskets. Oregon State built an early 8-2 lead behind Suutela’s early scoring, but Portland quickly responded, primarily through Williams and Ballisager Webb inside. The first half featured seven ties and neither team led by more than six points, setting the stage for the tight second-half finish.

According to Interstat’s ELO system, Oregon State entered the game with a 60.40 percent probability to win. The result instead delivered Portland a hard-fought home victory, splitting the season series for the two teams with identical records.

Oregon State next hosts Loyola Marymount on Wednesday. Portland travels to face Pepperdine, also on Wednesday.