PORTLAND, Ore. --- The Pilots built a big lead in the first half and got a career-best 16 points and nine rebounds from sophomore Ashley Gray, but the Gonzaga Bulldogs mounted a lengthy comeback before escaping with a 71-63 win over Portland in a West Coast Conference women's basketball game played at the Chiles Center on Saturday afternoon. Freshman Ellie Woerner added 15 points for the Pilots.
 
The game was all Portland (2-14, 0-5 WCC) early as the Pilots jumped out to a 12-1 lead. Both Woerner and Hannah Mattson had three-pointers during the outburst, and the Bulldogs (13-4, 5-0 WCC) didn't hit their first field goal until almost five minutes in. The Pilots continued their run and eventually led first-place Gonzaga 26-9.
 
Woerner had eight points during the opening quarter, while junior Kaylie Van Loo was already approaching a career-high with four assists.
 
The second period began much like the first as the Pilots continued to dominate the scoreboard. Gray went to work down low, and Van Loo continued to hand out dimes. With about 5:40 left until the half, Gray converted consecutive buckets in the paint and the Pilots still led by 17 at 37-20.
 
But that's when the Bulldogs came to life on both ends of the court, forcing turnovers and embarking on a 15-2 run to end the half. Despite the surge, the Pilots still led 39-35 at the break.
 
Gonzaga took their run into the second half, and soon the Bulldogs led 43-39 as the Pilots went scoreless for nearly eight minutes. But the Pilots refused to falter and the game remained a one-possession game for the rest of the quarter. Back-to-back field goals by sophomore Sara Zaragoza down low tied the score at 43-43, and Mattson followed four free throws by Woerner with a baseline jumper to tie the game once again at 49-49. A mid-range jumper from Jill Barta then let Gonzaga take a slight lead into the final frame.
 
The fourth quarter began with GU jumping ahead by seven, but again the Pilots responded. This time it was Holly Blades who came through as the junior transfer buried a pair of clutch three-pointers to pull Portland within one.
 
The Bulldogs answered with a couple of lay-ups before Van Loo hit an elbow jumper to make it 62-59 with 4:14 remaining. The Pilots were still within four two minutes later, but Gonzaga made enough stops and converted on the offensive end, mostly at the free throw line, down the stretch to hold on for the win.
 
Gray's career-high in points came on six of 11 shooting, and she just missed her first double-double. Woerner did most of her damage at the free throw line, where she was 8-for-10. The wing from Sammamish, Wash., scores in double digits for the sixth straight game and for the 13th time this season.
 
Both Van Loo (7) and Mattson (5) registered career-highs in assists.
 
The Pilots hovered around 50 percent shooting for most of the day before finishing at 45.1 percent. Portland had five three-pointers and shot 12 of 15 at the foul line.
 
The Pilots hurt themselves with 20 turnovers, which led to an 18-2 edge for Gonzaga in points off of turnovers. The Bulldogs, who were led by Barta's 15 points, shot 35.8 percent, made five three-pointers and combined to go 18 of 26 at the line.
 
Next up for the Pilots is a trip south to San Diego, Calif., to face the San Diego Toreros on Thursday night at 6 p.m. Portland will then head to Provo, Utah, for a tilt with BYU on Saturday.