ANCHORAGE, Alaska --- After falling behind big in the third quarter, the Pilots went on a lengthy run to climb within six points of Southern California, but the Trojans used clutch shooting and timely defense down the stretch to defeat Portland 67-54 in the title game of the Great Alaska Shootout at the Alaska Airlines Center on Wednesday night. Julie Spencer led the way offensively for the Pilots with a career-high 11 points.

With the Pilots trailing by 19 midway through the third period, Ashley Gray went to work on the glass, corralling rebounds at both ends of the court, while repeatedly going to the free throw line. The junior forward knocked down six straight from the charity stripe to cut into the deficit.

Spencer then made a lay-up, and Kate Andersen followed with a jumper to pull the Pilots within eight by the end of the quarter. Kaylie Van Loo would open the fourth with another mid-range jumper, and just like that the Pilots were within 46-40 with a big-time 12-0 run.

But that's when USC's Courtney Jaco began knocking down three's to end Portland's outburst. The Pilots though refused to falter as a shot from Corissa Turley kept the Pilots within seven. Moments later it was still only a nine-point game when Andersen converted a lay-up with 6:45 left, but the Trojans hit enough shots during the closing minutes and got just enough stops defensively to hold on and win the tourney title.
 
"We showed some resiliency by cutting the lead down to eight points entering the fourth quarter," Portland head coach Cheryl Sorenson said. "We gave ourselves the chance to win the championship. We had a lot of different players contribute throughout the weekend, and it will be nice to get home and play in Chiles Center."

Spencer added eight rebounds, while Gray finished with nine points and eight boards to help the Pilots (1-4) out-rebound their Pac-12 opponent. Both Turley and Holly Blades scored eight points, and Blades was named to the Great Alaska Shootout All-Tournament Team following the game.

Blades previously poured in 21 points, on seven three-pointers, as the Pilots opened the shootout with a win over host Alaska Anchorage on Tuesday night.

USC's (4-1) Kristen Simon claimed tournament MVP honors after collecting a double-double (20 points, 12 rebounds) against the Pilots. Her teammate Sadie Edwards also recorded 20 points.

The first half was evenly played as the Pilots led early in the first quarter with the help of a back-door cut and lay-up by Turley. On the next possession, Turley found Sarah Zaragoza with a nice pass, and the junior center converted to make it 5-4 in favor of Portland. The Trojans would briefly take the lead, but two straight buckets from Blades, including a three-pointer, put the Pilots back in front.

The Trojans ended the first with a mini-run, but the Pilots answered with seven unanswered points to surge back in front, early in the second period. Gray provided an offensive board and a put-back, and Blades connected on yet another three to give the Pilots a 19-18 lead. Both teams would cool off from there as the Trojans re-claimed the lead, but the Pilots wouldn't go away. Spencer ended a nearly six-minute long scoring drought with a lay-up on a stellar find from Jojuan Carrington. On the ensuing possession, Spencer returned the favor to Carrington, and just like that Portland was within one.

But much like the end of the first quarter, USC ended the second with a run, allowing the Women of Troy to take a 30-23 lead into the locker room at half. The Trojans would continue their surge after the break, and soon their lead would swell to almost 20 points.

The Pilots shot 37.0 percent from the field, while USC countered with 41.1 percent shooting. Blades drained Portland's only two three's on the night, while the Pilots went 12 of 14 on free throws. The Trojans hit five three-pointers and went 16-for-18 at the foul line. USC also claimed a difference making 24-8 edge in points off of turnovers.

The Pilots next return home to host another Pac-12 opponent as the No. 15 Washington Huskies visit The Bluff on Sunday. Tip-off at the Chiles Center for the northwest rivals is set for 2 p.m.

"Facing our third Pac-12 opponent in four games will be a challenge" added Sorenson. "The last 10 quarters we've played we've steadily gotten better. I'm proud of this team and happy to return from Alaska with some hardware."