PORTLAND, Ore. --- Portland freshman Ellie Woerner shot 8-for-10 from the field en route to a game-high 19 points in her collegiate debut as the Pilots opened the season with a 73-54 win over the Willamette Bearcats on Saturday evening at the Chiles Center. Woerner was one of four Pilots to score in double figures.
 
The freshman opened red-hot from the field, hitting her first six shots, which let the Pilots (1-0) jump ahead to an early 16-2 lead. The Bearcats responded, cutting the deficit to four before the Pilots pushed the lead back to double digits in the second quarter.
 
Woerner had 15 points in the first half as the Pilots led by nine at the break. Portland quickly built the lead back to 16 early in the second half as junior Kaylie Van Loo converted a lay-up and sophomore Ashely Gray went to work down low. Corissa Turley then connected on a three and just like that the lead was 49-33.
 
The Bearcats tried to hang around, but a pair of lay-ups from Van Loo let the Pilots go into the fourth quarter with a 59-44 advantage. The cushion would grow to as many as 21 before the Pilots settled for the 19-point victory.
 
Woerner hit three three-pointers on the night to help Portland shoot 47.6 percent (30-for-63) overall. Van Loo and Gray were also efficient from the floor, combining to shoot 10 of 11, and each finished with 11 points. Turley, a junior transfer in her first action as a Pilot, added 12.
 
Seven different Pilots had at least five rebounds as Portland claimed a sizeable 49-27 edge on the glass. Woerner registered six rebounds, as did sophomore post Sara Zaragoza. Van Loo dished a team-high four assists.
 
Kyle Towry led Willamette with 13 points and the Pilots held the Bearcats to just 32.1 percent (17-for-53) shooting.
 
The Pilots next host the ninth-ranked Oregon State Beavers on Monday night. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at the Chiles Center.