Pilots Lose Season Opener as Cal State Northridge Overcomes First Half Deficit
 
Box Score

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. --- Sophomore guard Kari Luttinen picked up right where she left off from her stellar freshman campaign with career-highs in both points and rebounds, but Portland’s four-point halftime lead dissipated, losing a 70-51 decision the Cal State Northridge Matadors at the Matadome.
 
Portland jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the season opener for both teams after a pair of free throws from Cassandra Thompson and a three-pointer from Luttinen.
 
The teams then traded buckets for the first 13-plus minutes before freshman Ellen Nurmi and junior guard Alexis Byrd drained back-to-back threes to suddenly give Portland a 10-point lead. Portland’s lead slowly shrank as time wound down in the first half.
 
A trio of steals by Byrd to open the second half brought Portland’s lead back up to 10 points, where it would hover around until 13 minutes remained in the game, when the Matadors found their stroke, wiping out Portland’s lead and running away with the game.
 
Byrd finished the night with a career-high seven steals and 13 points. Luttinen, a WCC All-Freshman Team member last year, led Portland with 14 points on 6-of-13 shooting and eight boards.
 
Portland hops on a plane for a 9 a.m. (PST) game on Saturday in Louisville to face the Cardinal.