PORTLAND, Ore. --- After a close first quarter, the Santa Clara Broncos pulled away in the second en route to a 67-45 win over the Portland Pilots in a West Coast Conference women's basketball game played on Thursday evening at the Chiles Center. Freshman Ellie Woerner was Portland's top scorer for the 10th time this season with 13 points.

The Pilots (2-12, 0-3 WCC) received balanced scoring in the first quarter as the game was evenly played. Hannah Mattson knocked down a three-pointer during the opening minute, and Julie Spencer tied the game 7-7 with a mid-range jumper moments later.

Holly Blades then drilled a deep three, and Portland led 10-8 with 3:39 left in the first stanza. The score was then 12-11 when Ashley Gray converted down low, but the Broncos (12-2, 3-0 WCC) ended the quarter with a mini surge, taking a 20-14 lead.

Santa Clara's run continued into the second period, and the lead would swell to double digits by the half. The Pilots tried to climb back into the game after the break with another Mattson three-pointer and another jumper from Woerner to cut the SCU lead to 13 points.

But the Broncos had an answer and the lead was soon 20 points. The Pilots did manage to hold Santa Clara to just six fourth-quarter points, but the deficit proved to be too much.

Woerner, a freshman, notches her 11th game this year to score in double digits. She was 6-for-11 against the Broncos and she increased her team-best season scoring average to 12.0 points per contest. Sophomore Ashley Gray and freshman Darian Slaga each chipped in seven points off the bench.

Marie Bertholdt scored 14 points to lead three Broncos in double figures. Santa Clara shot 50.0 percent overall, while holding the Pilots to 38.8 percent shooting.

Next up for the Pilots is a visit by the San Francisco Dons on Saturday. Tip-off at the Chiles Center is set for 2 p.m.