MORAGA, Calif. --- The Portland Pilots struggled from the field and the Saint Mary's Gaels claimed a 66-53 win at McKeon Pavilion on Saturday afternoon. The Pilots were led by Kari Luttinen, who hit four three-pointers and finished with 16 points.
 
The Pilots (4-16, 2-7 WCC) did well to hang around during the first half, despite shooting just 29 percent. After Portland led 3-2 early after a Hannah Mattson three-pointer, the Gaels (14-6, 7-2 WCC) responded and would push their lead to double digits. But Portland cut the deficit to nine a couple of times, including when Cassandra Brown drained a three to make it 19-10 with less than 10 minutes left.
 
The deficit was still nine moments later after Jasmine Wooton went down the lane for a lay-up, and the Pilots were within eight after Luttinen hit one from deep. But the Gaels would end the first half on a 7-0 run to take a 37-22 lead into the locker room at the break.
 
Saint Mary's would stretch the lead to 18 points early in the second half before the Pilots mounted a comeback. A quick 8-0 Portland run, which was capped by a bucket down low by Sara Zaragoza, pulled the Pilots within 40-30 with 14:27 remaining.
 
The Gaels' offensive slump ended shortly after that, but Portland didn't falter and it was only a 43-34 Saint Mary's lead after a jumper by Wooton.
 
From there the Gaels would slowly pull away and soon lead by 20 points. Luttinen tried to spark a late Portland surge pulling the Pilots within 14 with a couple of three's, but the clock would soon run out allowing the Gaels to hang on for the win.
 
The Gaels took advantage of some favorable calls to shoot 26-for-31 from the free throw line. Portland went to the line 16 times, making 14. Portland had two players foul out of the game.
 
Neither team lit it up from the field as the Gaels shot 33 percent and Portland combined to shoot 31 percent overall. The Pilots had seven three's and the Gaels countered with six, while Saint Mary's claimed a sizable 48-29 advantage on the glass.
 
Wooton added 14 points for the Pilots, while Brown just missed her second straight double-double with 13 points and nine boards.
 
Devyn Galland went a perfect 12-for-12 at the foul line and led the Gaels with 19 points.
 
Portland next returns home for three straight conference games at the Chiles Center, beginning with a visit by the Gonzaga Bulldogs on Saturday, Jan. 31. Tip-off between the two northwest rivals is set for 2 p.m.