by Jimmy Sheldrup |
Freshman Ellie Woerner’s 19 points on a sharp 8-for-10 shooting led the Pilots to a 73-54 win over Willamette University in their season opener Saturday night.
Strong Pilot defense prompted Willamette to commit a 30-second shot clock violation on their first possession and a turnover on their second. Willamette started the game 0-5 from three point range.
Woerner set the Pilots' pace early on, scoring on her first six attempts, including two 3-pointers. She totaled ten points in the first quarter, leading the Pilots to a 24-17 lead. The Pilots dominated the rebounds 12-6, led by junior Hannah Mattson’s three rebounds.
“My looks came from my teammates attacking and drawing the defense,” Woerner said. “I was just happy I could finish the plays.”
Woerner came out strong in the second quarter, scoring off an unassisted floater. Junior Corissa Turley did a little of everything, scoring five points, pulling down four rebounds, blocking a shot and getting a steal in the half. Although the offense was clicking, the defense was not nearly as consistent. The Pilots finished up the first half 37-28 and shooting 48 percent from the field.
Freshman Ashley Gray and juniors Kaylie Van Loo and Hannah Mattson scored to open up the third quarter. Van Loo also the tempo on defense, forcing a ten second violation. With five minutes left in the third, Willamette had only scored once in the second half.
In the final minutes of the third quarter, Portland made careless turnovers and missed layups. Van Loo helped keep it together, hitting two and-1 layups in the final minute of the game. Despite the mistakes, the Pilots maintained a 59-44 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The Pilots pulled away in the fourth, allowing only ten points from Willamette. Freshman Darian Slaga had a huge block in minute five.
The Pilots never trailed en route to the win. They did, however, commit 24 fouls and 20 turnovers.
Portland returns to action Monday against No. 9 Oregon State at 7 p.m. in the Chiles Center.
Jimmy Sheldrup is a sports writer for The Beacon. He can be reached at sheldrup18@up.edu or on Twitter @CJSheldrup
