OGDEN, Utah --- The Weber State Wildcats opened the game red-hot from the field and never looked back en route to a 76-37 win over the Portland Pilots in a non-conference contest played on Saturday afternoon at the Dee Events Center. Senior Kaylie Van Loo led the Pilots in scoring with nine points.
 
The Wildcats (6-1) shot 67 percent from the floor to take an early lead in the first quarter, but the Pilots (2-6) hung around as they matched their hosts shot-for-shot. Van Loo hit a lay-up, and Holly Blades followed with a three to keep Portland within reach four minutes into the game.
 
Weber State tried to pull away, but a three-pointer from Darian Slaga helped keep it close. The Wildcats then closed the opening period with a run to create some space.
 
The Pilots scored the first four points of the second quarter as Julie Spencer knocked down a jumper and Van Loo chipped in with a lay-up, which briefly pulled Portland within 10 points. But that's as close as the Pilots would get the rest of the way as the Wildcats' lead would swell.
 
Weber State, who was led by Emily Drake with 24 points, ended up shooting 50 percent for the game. The Wildcats combined for 13 three-pointers, including six from Drake, and they claimed a sizeable advantage on the glass.
 
Blades added six points for the Pilots, while Ashley Gray corralled a team-high seven boards. Portland was limited to just 29.4 percent shooting, and the Pilots hit five three's on the day.
 
Next up for the Pilots is a road trip to Eugene, Ore., to face the Oregon Ducks next Friday at Matthew Knight Arena. Tip-off for the Pilots and Ducks, who sit just out of the most recent national rankings, is set for 6 p.m.