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SAN DIEGO, Calif. --- Portland's Amy Pupa and Cassandra Brown both scored 17 points and the Pilots nearly completed a second-half comeback, but the San Diego Toreros would hold on to win 59-52 in a West Coast Conference women's basketball game played on Saturday afternoon at Jenny Craig Pavilion. The loss drops Portland's record to 14-12 (7-8 WCC), while San Diego improves to 20-6 (9-6 WCC).
 
Down nine at the half, Portland pulled within five points a couple of times early in the second half. But San Diego seemingly had an answer each time, eventually pushing their lead to 50-40 with just under eight minutes remaining.
 
That's when Brown heated up from the field, making lay-ups, a three-pointer and a mid-range jumper to help the Pilots claw back into the game. During one stretch Brown scored nine of Portland's 10 points to help the Pilots climb within 54-50 with about 1:45 left to play.
 
After a made San Diego free throw moments later, Brown found a cutting Cassandra Thompson for a lay-up, and the deficit was only three points with 1:25 remaining.
 
But the Toreros would make enough free throws down the stretch, got a timely offensive rebound by Sophia Ederine and forced a key Portland turnover in the closing minutes to preserve the win.
 
Both Pupa and Brown shot seven of 10 from the field, while Pupa hit all three of her three-point attempts. Pupa was also Portland's top rebounder with seven boards.
 
Amy Kame led the Toreros with 22 points and nine rebounds, while Molina Hood added 17 points.
 
Free throws were decidedly in San Diego's favor the Toreros were 15-for-25 and Portland was just 3-for-5. USD shot 41.7 percent overall and connected on four three's, all by Hood. Portland shot 42 percent and hit five three-pointers.
 
The Pilots looked good to start the game after Pupa hit a lay-up and a baseline jumper to give Portland an early 4-0 lead. But it was all San Diego after that as the Toreros were able to jump ahead, thanks to four three-pointers by Hood. Her fourth three of the first half gave San Diego a 25-9 lead with about five minutes left.
 
But that's when the Pilots re-grouped offensively and were able to knock down some shots. Jasmine Wooton hit a lay-up and a three, while Pupa also connected from long range to help the Pilots pull within 30-21 at the half.
 
The Pilots will remain on the road next week when they travel to Spokane, Wash., for a WCC tilt against Gonzaga on Saturday. It's the final regular season road game for the Pilots, and tip-off at the McCarthey Center is set for 2 p.m.