Campbell’s 24 points help Portland knock off Saint Mary’s 80-75 in overtime

Portland knocks off Saint Mary’s 80-75 in overtime

PORTLAND, Ore. — T.J. Campbell scored 24 points as Portland beat Saint Mary’s 80-75 in overtime Saturday to pull within a half-game of the Gaels for second place in the West Coast Conference.

Mickey McConnell scored 25 points to lead Saint Mary’s (21-5, 8-3 West Coast), which suffered its second straight loss after winning six in a row and 11 of its last 12.

Portland (16-8, 7-3) led most of the second half before the Gaels turned a 13-point deficit into a 72-70 lead when Omar Samhan hit a turnaround jumper with 39 seconds remaining in regulation.

But Campbell hit a driving layup with 25 seconds left to send the game into overtime, and the Pilots outscored St. Mary’s 8-3 in the extra period.

Samhan fouled out with 1:31 left in OT and Saint Mary’s ahead 75-74. Without Samhan, the Gaels had a difficult time stopping Portland’s big front line.