The University of Portland women’s basketball team ended a three-game win streak with a 76-67 loss to the Wyoming Cowgirls on Wed., Jan. 8 at the Chiles Center in Portland, OR Portland moves to 6-7 on the season, while Wyoming improves to 9-3 overall.

The first half was close, with a slim one or two point margin until Wyoming took the lead at 15:57. The Cowgirls went on a 10-2 run with 10:52 left in the first and continued to pull ahead as time elapsed. Wyoming took their largest lead (29-17) of the half with 3:50 left. Portland closed the gap, but Wyoming’s Ashley Elliott hit a trey with just 1:12 left in the first half for a 38-28 halftime lead.

The Cowgirls out-rebounded the Pilots 19-5 in the first half and shot 65 percent from the field, 100 percent from three-point range and 100 percent from the free-throw line. Portland managed to shoot 38 percent from the field, 33 percent from behind the arc and 100 percent from the charity stripe before the break.

Portland made some adjustments in the second half and chipped away at the Wyoming lead. The Pilots came to within five points with just 1:33 left in the game, but could not pull out the win. Wyoming scored four points in the last twenty seconds of regulation for a 76-67 final. The Pilots out-scored the Cowgirls, 39-38 in the second half and out rebounded Wyoming 15-14.

On the night, Portland shot 43 percent (23-53) from the field, 41 percent (7-17) from three-point range and 67 percent (14-21) from the free-throw line. Wyoming made 32-of-51 (63 percent) from the field, 4-of-5 from behind the arc (80 percent) and 8-of-12 (67 percent) from the free-throw line. Wyoming tallied 42 points in the paint and 29 points off turnovers, while Portland scored 26 points down low and 21 points off Wyoming turnovers. The Cowgirls held the advantage on the boards, 33-20.

“Wyoming is a very aggressive and mature team,” said Head Coach Jim Sollars. “As a group, we need to play with more composure.”

For the game, Khalila O’Rielly-Williams led all scorers with 23 points, nine rebounds five steals and two assists. O’Rielly-Williams shot 9-of-14 from the field and 5-of-7 from the free-throw line. Michaela Dalgleish totaled 15 points on 5-of-11 shooting from the field, 1-of-4 shooting from behind the arc and 4-of-7 shooting from the free-throw line. Ashlee Giles tallied 11 points, while Whitney Grant added six points.

“Khalila (O’Rielly-Williams) continues to lead this team,” said Sollars. “She is putting up some great numbers for us. As a team, we have to learn from this loss and move forward.”

Darci Arsene led the Cowgirls with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Ann McColl totaled 15 points, while Brenda Pickup notched 12 points. Ashley Elliott chipped in 10 points for Wyoming on the night.

UP NEXT: Portland opens WCC play on the road, facing Loyola Marymount at 7:00 p.m. in Los Angeles, CA. On Sat., Jan. 11, the Pilots will take on the Pepperdine University Waves at 7:00 p.m. in Malibu, CA.