Portland closes regular season with 87–74 win over San Diego behind decisive second-half surge

A late-season response after an uneven February

Portland finished its regular season Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, with an 87–74 home victory over San Diego at the Chiles Center, turning a close game at halftime into a double-digit result after the break. The matchup paired two teams with identical West Coast Conference records entering the day (both 5–12), and it concluded with Portland improving its overall mark to 13–18 while San Diego fell to 11–20.

The game’s shape was defined by a sharp contrast between halves. San Diego led 36–32 at halftime, but Portland outscored the Toreros 55–38 in the second half to secure the win.

Second-half efficiency flips the scoreline

Portland’s offensive output accelerated in the final 20 minutes, producing 55 points after scoring 32 before intermission. The Pilots’ efficiency was reflected in near-identical overall field-goal percentages between teams—Portland at 52.5% and San Diego at 52.6%—with Portland generating the separation through volume and sustained scoring pressure rather than a large shooting-percentage gap.

From three-point range, both teams were productive, with San Diego shooting 42.9% and Portland 38.1%. At the free-throw line, Portland converted 78.9% to San Diego’s 71.4%.

Halftime: San Diego 36, Portland 32. Final: Portland 87, San Diego 74.

Key performances: Hronsky leads Portland; Diop anchors San Diego

Portland forward Matus Hronsky led all scorers with 20 points. San Diego’s leading scorer was Assane Diop with 16 points, adding five rebounds and two assists.

San Diego received additional double-figure scoring from Vuk Boskovic (14 points, seven assists), Gavin Ripp (13 points), and Juanse Gorosito (11 points, five assists). Boskovic’s line included four made three-pointers, helping San Diego keep pace early.

Context inside the season series

The Feb. 28 result also served as a reversal of the teams’ earlier meeting. On Feb. 11, 2026, San Diego beat Portland 71–58 in San Diego after pulling away in the second half, a game in which Portland struggled from three-point range. The rematch in Portland followed a different script, with the Pilots delivering their best offensive half of the game after halftime.

Game facts at a glance

• Date and site: Feb. 28, 2026, Chiles Center, Portland

• Score by halves: San Diego 36–38 (74); Portland 32–55 (87)

• Top scorers: Portland—Matus Hronsky (20); San Diego—Assane Diop (16)

• Team shooting: San Diego 52.6% FG, 42.9% 3PT; Portland 52.5% FG, 38.1% 3PT

With the regular season complete, both programs shift focus to postseason play, carrying sharply different closing notes: Portland with a high-scoring home win, and San Diego with a second-half setback after leading at the break.