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PORTLAND, Ore. --- Portland had a chance to take the lead or tie the score during the closing seconds, but the Portland State Vikings would hold on and escape the Chiles Center with a 64-61 win over the Pilots in a non-conference women’s basketball game played on Saturday evening. The loss ends a four-game winning streak for the Pilots, who drop to 5-8 on the year.
 
After trailing by seven points with just 1:23 remaining in the game, the Pilots rallied to pull within one after Annika Holopainen buried a three-pointer and hit a lay-up to make the score 62-61. And then with 19 seconds left, full-court pressure from the Pilots forced a turnover by the Vikings, setting up a chance for Portland to possibly take the lead.
 
On the ensuing play, Kari Luttinen couldn’t connect on a tough, driving pull-up jumper in traffic, and the Vikings were able to gain possession on a turnover after it appeared Portland had corralled the offensive rebound. Portland then fouled and PSU’s Karley Lampan hit a pair of free throws to push the Portland State advantage back up to three points with just 10 seconds showing on the clock.
 
The Pilots then had a chance to tie it with a three-pointer at the buzzer, but Luttinen was off the mark allowing Portland State (7-4) to hold on for the win.
 
Holopainen led the way for the Pilots with a team-high 17 points, while Cassandra Thompson registered a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
 
PSU’s Courtney VanBrocklin scored a game-high 18 points and was one of three Vikings to score in double figures.
 
The Pilots controlled the game early, jumping out to a 10-0 lead almost four minutes in. The Vikings responded, but the Pilots were again able to re-claim a double-digit lead as Thompson had her way down low and made her first six shots on the night. But after two straight lay-ups from Holopainen gave Portland a 32-21 lead late in the first half, the Vikings rattled off 10 unanswered to pull within one at the break.
 
Portland State continued its outburst after the half and would stretch its run to 21-2, allowing the Vikings to claim a 42-34 advantage. The PSU lead was still eight points moments later when the Pilots exploded for a 10-0 run to jump back ahead by four. Back-to-back three’s from Holopainen and Ellen Nurmi with 9:00 remaining handed Portland a 52-48 lead.
 
But the lead was short-lived as the Vikings were able to spring ahead yet again, setting up the dramatic final 83 seconds.
 
The Pilots hit 25 field goals on the night, compared to 23 for the Vikings, but Portland was just three of 14 on three-pointers and shot 8-for-13 from the foul line. Portland State connected on five three-pointers and shot a difference-making 13-for-17 on free throws.
 
Portland dominated the paint claiming an edge in both rebounds (41-32) and points in the paint (40-22). PSU converted 21 UP turnovers into 27 points, while the Pilots countered with 20 points on 19 Viking miscues.
 
Next up for the Pilots is the West Coast Conference opener against the Santa Clara Broncos next Thursday at the Chiles Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.