LOS ANGELES, Calif. --- Ellie Woerner overcame foul trouble to lead Portland with 15 points, but the Loyola Marymount Lions built a double-digit lead in the second half before holding on for a 62-52 win over the Pilots on Monday night at Gersten Pavilion. The game was the West Coast Conference opener for both teams.
 
Woerner continues her stellar freshman campaign, scoring in double figures for the ninth time this year. She shot 2-for-3 on three-pointers against the Lions, and she increased her team-best scoring average to 11.8 points per contest.
 
But it wasn't enough on Monday as the Lions (5-7, 1-0 WCC), who led by 10 at the half, pushed their lead to 20 points in the third quarter. The Pilots (2-10, 0-1 WCC) briefly climbed within seven points when Holly Blades opened the half with a three-pointer, but LMU responded with an 18-4 run to take control.
 
The Pilots tried to recover and a three-pointer by Woerner pulled Portland within 58-45 with 4:51 remaining. But the Lions answered with free throws and the deficit proved too much to overcome.
 
Van Loo also scored in double figures for the Pilots, finishing with 12 points on five of six shooting. Van Loo has been among the WCC's leaders in field goal percentage for most of the season. Blades connected on three three-pointers to score nine points on the night.
 
Van Loo, Blades, Hannah Mattson and Julie Spencer each finished with six rebounds to help the Pilots claim a 45-39 edge on the glass. Both Van Loo and Mattson match a career-high with the six boards.
 
LMU's Cheyanne Wallace led all scorers with 24 points, while Bree Alford posted a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
 
Neither team shot great from the field, as the Pilots finished at 32.1 percent shooting and the Lions countered with 34.4 percent. Both teams had five three-pointers and the Lions shot 15 of 24 on free throws, while the Pilots were 11-for-16. LMU did take advantage of 21 Portland miscues, which led to a 19-9 advantage in points off of turnovers.
 
The first quarter was close as the two teams were never separated by more than five points. Blades tied it at 13-13 with a three, but LMU closed the period with a three from Makenzie Cast to lead 16-13.
 
Early in the second stanza Van Loo converted a lay-up and Woerner followed with a jumper to tie the score once again. The Lions then created a little separation, but the Portland deficit was only four when Corissa Turley corralled an offensive rebound and made the put-back with 3:28 left. LMU then scored eight straight points and eventually led 36-36 at the break.
 
The Pilots next make the short trek to Malibu to face the Pepperdine Waves on Wednesday. Tip-off for the WCC match-up at Firestone Fieldhouse is set for 2 p.m.