PORTLAND, Ore. --- Both Holly Blades and Ellie Woerner scored 16 points for the Portland and the game remained close until the end, but the CSUN Matadors held off the Pilots down the stretch to claim a 68-62 win in the final non-conference game of the year on Friday afternoon at the Chiles Center. The 16 points are a career-high for Blades, a junior transfer.
 
Blades was hot early as the starting guard knocked down three first-quarter three-pointers, but it was CSUN (2-8) who led after the opening period 20-17. Sophomore post Ashley Gray provided a spark off the bench in the second quarter, scoring down low while getting fouled to pull the Pilots (2-9) within one. But again the Matadors weathered the storm to take a slim 36-31 lead into the locker room at half.
 
CSUN maintained a slight cushion throughout the third period, but the Pilots finally surged ahead early in the fourth. Woerner opened the final frame with a tough, driving lay-up, and Rachelle Owens followed with a mid-range jumper moments later to tie the game 50-50.
 
Woerner then handed the Pilots the lead with a free throw with 8:12 left to play. The Matadors then reclaimed the lead, but Gray responded with a clutch offensive board and put-pack to pull the Pilots within 57-55 with 4:27 remaining.
 
The Matadors answered and soon CSUN pushed the lead to nine, forcing the Pilots to foul during the closing minutes. CSUN went a game-clinching 7-for-8 at the stripe in the final minute to hold on for the win.
 
Blades connected on five three-pointers for the game, becoming the first Pilot to accomplish that feat since Cassandra Brown last February. For the freshman Woerner, it's the eighth time this season to score in double digits.
 
Gray missed just once from the field, finishing with 10 points, and freshman Julie Spencer was active in her second career start. The post had career-highs of seven points and eight rebounds, while her fellow starting post Sara Zaragoza, a sophomore, chipped in with eight points and eight rebounds.
 
Tessa Boagni registered a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Matadors, who shot a difference-making 18 of 20 from the free throw line. The Pilots held CSUN to just 30.9 percent shooting overall, but the Matadors committed just nine turnovers.
 
Portland combined for seven three-pointers and shot 45.6 percent overall, but went just 3-for-6 on foul shots. The Pilots out-rebounded the Matadors 41-38.
 
The Pilots now open play in the West Coast Conference with a trip to Los Angeles, Calif., next week. First the LMU Lions will host Portland on Monday at Gersten Pavilion at 7 p.m.