Pilots women’s basketball took a tough 59-46 loss to Oregon State University in the West Coast Conference (WCC) Tournament championship game March 11.
With the loss, the Pilots do not earn an automatic bid to the NCAA D1 women’s basketball tournament and will instead learn their fate once the bracket is set.
Following tip off, Portland led early in the game before the Beavers took the reins in the second quarter and led until the final whistle. The Pilots struggled throughout the match to create chances and maintain control. The team shot just 21.7% from the field and snagged 33 rebounds to OSU’s 54.
Graduate student guard Maisie Burnham led the Pilots with 16 points, four assists and four steals. Alexis Mark added 11 points and two blocks and Emme Shearer contributed with nine points and six rebounds.
In a press conference following the game, Head Coach Michael Meek emphasized his pride in the current program.
“I couldn’t be any more proud of our team,” Meek said. “The fact that our team has gone 29-4 on the season and have played the way they have has been absolutely incredible…You dream about winning an elite championship, a conference championship, and the fact that we were right in the mix…I couldn’t be any more proud.”
Burnham, who has won the WCC title in the last two seasons, says that although she’s disappointed with the result, she leaves the season with nothing but appreciation for her experience.
“It's been nothing but a blessing being here…” Burnham said. “I’ve had the best times, the best friends, our culture, our program is one in a million. Obviously, this moment hurts, but [I have] nothing but gratitude and thankfulness for the last four years I’ve had here.”
Following the loss, the Pilots await news on their postseason hopes.
Maggie Dapp is the Sports Editor at The Beacon. She can be reached at dapp26@up.edu.
