Ducks Top The Pilots, 63-36

PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Pilots dropped their third straight game as the Oregon Ducks led the entire way on their way to a 63-36 win in a non-conference women’s basketball game Tuesday night at the Chiles Center. Portland senior point guard Whitney Grant led the way with 13 points as the Pilots start the season 0-3 for the first time since the 1987-88 season, head coach Jim Sollars’ second at UP.

Oregon improves to 3-1 and were led by senior guard Chelsea Wagner’s 14 points. Wagner had four three-pointers on the night. Junior forward Eleanor Haring was the only other Duck to score in double figures with 12 points.

"We’ve made some improvements," Sollars said. "We worked harder, we did a nice job in the zone and we passed the ball a lot better. We just now have to be more assertive offensively."

The game was evenly played during the first ten minutes as the Ducks opened up a slim 12-7 lead. UP freshman guard Karlie Burris pulled the Pilots within 12-10 at 10:20 when she hit her second three-pointer of the season. The Ducks then went on a 19-9 run to end the half and take a 31-19 lead into the locker room.

Grant opened the scoring in the second half with a three pulling the Pilots to within single digits at 31-22, but it was as close UP would get the rest of the way. Oregon responded and built a 43-25 lead. Portland was stuck on 25 points for more than six minutes before junior center Rachel Warren hit a lay-up making it 43-27. Warren duplicated the lay-up next time down court on a nice feed from Grant, making it a 43-29 game.

Oregon outscored Portland 20-7 the rest of the way.

"We need somebody to be willing to step up and shoot the ball for us," said Sollars. "I’m not discouraged by this game because the effort was there and Oregon is a pretty good basketball team."

The Pilots had another nice showing on the glass as they outrebounded the Ducks 35-34. Sophomore wing Meagan Bermingham was UP’s leading rebounder with six boards.

"The rebounding is much better than last season and that’s an effort kind of thing," Sollars said. "If we can rebound and put forth an effort, we’ll have a chance."

The Pilots also turned the ball over a season-low 22 times. Oregon turned the ball over only 11 times. The Ducks also outscored the Pilots 20-16 in the paint and 6-2 on fast breaks.

Portland shot 28 percent from the field, while UO hit 39 percent of its shots.

Next for the Pilots is another home game as they host UC Davis on Sunday, Nov. 27, for a 2 p.m. tip-off at the Chiles Center.

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