Box Score

PORTLAND, Ore. --- Sophomore Kari Luttinen poured in a career-high 23 points to lead a trio of Pilots in double figures as Portland claimed a thorough 70-61 win over the visiting Nevada Wolf Pack in a non-conference women’s basketball game played on Friday night at the Chiles Center. Sophomore Cassandra Thompson scored 18 points and freshman Ellen Nurmi added 15, both career highs.
 
20 of Luttinen’s points came in the second half as the Pilots (2-7) were able to create some separation from the Wolf Pack (3-4). A traditional three-point play by Luttinen gave the Pilots a nine-point lead four minutes into the second half, while a jumper from the Seattle native gave Portland a 48-37 lead with 13 minutes left in the game.
 
The Wolf Pack then clawed back to within three points five minutes later, but the Pilots responded with eight unanswered points to push the lead back to double digits. Thompson hit a lay-up and Luttinen buried a three to give Portland a 58-47 cushion with 6:01 to play.
 
Nevada was able to pull within six points with 2:44 showing on the clock, but a Nurmi lay-up and a Luttinen jumper later and the lead was back to a secure 10 points with a minute remaining.
 
Portland’s defensive effort matched the Pilots’ offensive performance as Nevada shot just 28.8 percent on the night. UP also forced the Wolf Pack into 20 turnovers, which led to 24 points for the Pilots.
 
Nevada did have a 46-33 advantage in rebounds, but Portland outscored the Wolf Pack 36-20 in points in the paint.
 
Luttinen’s pervious career-high was 18 points, which came earlier this season at Idaho. She shot 10 of 20 from the floor and was 2-for-3 on three-pointers.
 
Thompson was 8-for-11 to help the Pilots shoot 26-for-56 as a team. She also grabbed eight boards, which was second on the team to junior Amy Pupa’s nine rebounds. Nurmi hit four of six shots overall and did most of her damage at the free throw line, where she was six of eight.
 
Nevada’s Danika Sharp connected on six three-pointers en route to a career-high 25 points. The Wolf Pack combined for nine three’s as a team, while shooting 19-for-66 overall.
 
The first half was fairly even before the Pilots were able to claim a 31-23 lead late on a jumper from sophomore Jasmine Wooton. The Wolf Pack then scored the half’s final five points as Portland entered the half-time locker room with a 31-28 lead.
 
The Pilots next take a week off for final exams before returning to the Chiles Center floor next Friday night against Fresno State. Tip-off is set for 5:15 and the game is the first half of a double header with the Portland men.