Box Score

PORTLAND, Ore. --- The Pilots, who had rallied from nine points down in the final minutes, got a steal and a good look at a potential game-tying shot with nine seconds left, but the attempt was off the mark and San Francisco would seal the game with free throws as the Dons escaped the Chiles Center with a 75-71 win over Portland on Thursday night.  Junior Amy Pupa finished with a career-high 21 points to lead the Pilots, who drop to 10-15 on the year and to 5-7 in the West Coast Conference.
 
The Pilots refused to falter down the stretch, despite trailing 66-55 with three minutes to play. Pupa had a clutch three-point play to make it a five point game with 1:50 remaining, but the Dons (10-15, 3-9 WCC) were able to push the lead back to seven.
 
This time sophomore Kari Luttinen had an answer by burying a three-pointer from the right angle. A free throw by Pupa later and Portland was within three with just 28 seconds remaining. Luttinen then followed a pair of USF free throws with a free throw of her own before missing the back end of a 1-and-1.
 
But freshman teammate Annika Holopainen was there for the clutch offensive rebound and put-back, and just like that the Pilots were within two points with only 12 seconds showing on the clock. Portland then stole the ensuing in-bounds pass and got the ball to Holopainen at the elbow. But her shot rimmed out and Portland was whistled for a foul on the rebound.
 
Mel Khlok then hit a pair at the foul line to give USF the four-point win.
 
Khlok nearly registered a triple-double, finishing with 23 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. Teammate Taylor Proctor also had a double-double with 19 points and 13 boards, and Alicia Scafidi grabbed 12 rebounds to help San Francisco claim a 46-41 edge on the glass.
 
Pupa added 11 rebounds to her career high in points for her second career double-double. Sophomore Jasmine Wooton had 14 points and six rebounds and Luttinen and freshman Ellen Nurmi each added 12 points.
 
Junior Alexis Byrd had a career-high 11 rebounds.
 
The Pilots had to play from behind all night long after Pupa scored the game’s first field goal. The Dons led 37-29 at the half before stretching the lead to 10 points multiple times during the second half. The Pilots were able to pull within two (53-51) with just under 10 minutes remaining before USF was able to once again surge ahead.
 
Portland combined to shoot 36.9 percent (24-for-65), connected on nine three-pointers and went 16-for-25 at the line. San Francisco was 26-for-63 (41.3 percent) overall, hit five three’s and converted 18 of 22 foul shots.
 
The Pilots next look to rebound against the Saint Mary’s Gaels on Saturday night. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at the Chiles Center, and all fans wearing pink to the game will received free admission as part of Portland’s annual Play 4Kay night.