University of Portland Athletics

DAVIS, Calif. --- Portland senior Kaylie Van Loo scored a team-high 13 points, but the UC Davis Aggies opened the women's basketball season with a 66-52 win over the Pilots on Friday night at The Pavilion. Sophomores Darian Slaga and Julie Spencer also reached double figures in scoring, with each finishing with 10 points for the Pilots.
 
The Pilots (0-1) led early after Van Loo knocked down a jumper to put the visitors ahead 6-4. The Aggies (1-0) responded by scoring the final six points in the quarter to take a 12-6 lead. UC Davis would continue its run into the second period to lead by 10, but the Pilots had an answer of their own, in the form of a two and a three from Holly Blades.
 
Slaga then followed with a lay-up to pull Portland within 17-14, forcing the Aggies into calling a time out. Moments later Slaga converted another lay-in and it was down to a two-point deficit at 20-18. The Aggies recovered to push the lead 10 points, but Rachelle Owens made one down low to make it a 29-21 game at the break.
 
Portland hung around in the third quarter, keeping within reach as Spencer hit a couple from the field. But UC Davis was then able to create some separation, nudging their lead up to 44-32. A bucket from Owens and a free throw from Ashely Gray made it a nine-point game going to final frame.
 
The Pilots refused to falter in the fourth, even though the Aggies built a 15-point lead. Portland would climb within single digits at one point, but the Aggies held on for the win.
 
"We played tough and hard, but we had difficulty getting shots to fall," Portland head coach Cheryl Sorenson said following the game. "We rebounded well, took care of the ball, and executed pretty well."
 
Van Loo had six assists to go along with her 13 points. Spencer matches a career high in scoring, while also grabbing seven boards. Gray led the Pilots on the glass with eight rebounds.
 
The Aggies' Pele Gianotti had a double-double with 20 points and 13 rebounds.
 
The Pilots shot just 29 percent from the field, while the Aggies weren't much better at 38 percent. UC Davis connected on 10 three-pointers and went 16-for-23 at the foul line. Portland had just three three's and shot 11 of 18 from the charity stripe.
 
Portland did well to limit their turnovers to just 11, while the Aggies held a slim 43-40 edge on the glass.
 
Next up for the Pilots is a trip to Reno, Nev., on Sunday to face the Nevada Wolf Pack at 2 p.m.