Sal Aversa |
For the first time in conference, the Pilots dominated. Kaylee Van Loo and Hannah Mattson recorded 16 points each as the Pilots snapped their 17-game losing streak and beat Pepperdine 81-79, giving the Pilots their first conference win this season.
With the win, the Pilots improve to 3-20 overall and 1-11 in the WCC. Pepperdine falls to 5-18 overall and 1-11 in the WCC.
Holly Blades added 13 points and 7 rebounds for the Pilots. Pepperdine guard Erica Ogwumike led all scorers tonight with 34 points in their losing effort.
With 33.5 seconds remaining, Oqwumike knocked down a jumper to tie the game at 79. Van Loo drew a foul, knocked down a pair of free throws and the Waves could not catch up.
The Pilots had led for the majority of the game. With just over three minutes remaining, Portland held onto a 12-point lead. Pepperdine was able to climb their way back in the game after capitalizing on Pilot turnovers.
Portland’s 42-35 lead at halftime was only the second time this season the Pilots have led at the intermission, the first coming on Jan. 9 in a home loss to Gonzaga.
Coach Cheryl Sorenson was beaming with pride following the game.
“I want them to have success because they work so hard,” Sorenson said. “And this is one of those moments where I’m just so proud of them because they absolutely deserve it.”
Sorenson said that this win is an added boost of confidence moving forward this season.
Next, Portland will face Loyola Marymount tomorrow before going back on the road to face Gonzaga.
Sal Aversa is a sports writer for The Beacon. He can be reached at aversa17@up.edu or on Twitter @Sal_Aversa.
