SIU men’s basketball (6-1) closed out its weekend in Corpus Christi, Texas, with a 80-79 win against Portland (3-4).

The win gave SIU a split for the Corpus Christi Coastal Challenge after losing Friday to UTEP, 71-66. 

Junior forward Sean O’Brien led the way again for the Salukis with 18 points and 10 rebounds for his second double-double in as many days.

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O’Brien was named to the All-Tournament team for his efforts. He finished with 43 points and 21 rebounds in two games. 

Portland bested SIU in rebounds, 32-28, assists, 17-10, and shooting percentage, 52-50. 

The Salukis’ victory came from the free-throw line, where they were 16-of-22, or 72 percent. The Pilots’ were 15-of-25, 60 percent.

Senior guard Anthony Beane shot 8-of-11 from the free throw line en route to his 18-point performance. Junior guard Leo Vincent made all four of his free throws as part of his 10 points.

The Pilots had five players in double-figures including senior guard Bryce Pressley who led the team with 18 points. 

Neither team led by more than seven points at any point in the game and the score was tied at 77 with 2:18 remaining, before freshman guard Armon Fletcher hit a three-pointer, giving the Salukis the lead for good.

After a dunk by Portland sophomore forward Gabe Taylor, an officially-reviewed Portland turnover gave SIU the ball with a one-point lead with 48.7 seconds left. The Salukis turned the ball back over to the Pilots with 17 seconds remaining.

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Portland then missed a jumper, but got the rebound and the resulting buzzer-beater attempt was wedged between the rim and backboard as time expired.

The Salukis next game is 7 p.m. Wednesday at SIU Arena against Southeast Missouri State.

Sean Carley can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @SCarleyDE.