SEATTLE, Wash. --- Sophomore forward Alex Fowler finished with 17 points and 17 rebounds and five Pilots scored in double digits as Portland opened the season with an 82-70 win over the Seattle U Redhawks on Wednesday afternoon at the Redhawk Center. The 17 boards match a career-high for Fowler.
 
Junior Rose Pflug and freshman Emme Shearer, who were both making their debut for the Pilots, each scored 14 points, while Pflug added eight assists. Junior Haylee Andrews and Maddie Muhlheim both added 12 points.
 
As a team, the Pilots (1-0) connected on nine three-pointers, and they out-rebounded the Redhawks (0-1) by a sizable 45-24 margin.
 
It was Seattle who led early, as they took advantage of some Portland turnovers in the first quarter to jump ahead 21-12. But the second quarter belonged to the Pilots, who fell behind by 11 before out-scoring the Redhawks 28-9 during the period. Shearer and Muhlheim both connected from deep to spark a lengthy Portland run, and when Shearer converted down low with about five minutes left in the half, the Pilots had leveled the score.
 
Portland's outburst continued with the help of a Pflug baseline lay-up, and when freshman Tyler McCliment-Call ended the half with a pair of free throws, the Pilots were up by 10. Portland shot a blistering 69.2 percent in the quarter.
 
Fowler came alive in the second half after the Redhawks tried to climb back in to the game. Her up-and-under move down low helped the Pilots maintain their lead, and moments later when Pflug drained a three Portland enjoyed a six-point edge.
 
It stayed a close game early in the fourth when the two teams exchanged baskets, but a three from Muhlheim and a lay-up by Fowler made it 60-53. From there the Pilots created a little separation, and another one from beyond the arc by Pflug made it a 10-point game. Moments later the lead was 12, and Fowler provided the game-clinching bucket when she just beat the shot clock to keep it a double-digit advantage with about a minute left to play.
 
Fowler was six of nine from the field in the second half as 12 of her points came after the break. Shearer hit four of her five shots overall, including her lone three-point attempt, and the Pilots combined to shoot 49.1 percent as a team. Portland claimed an assist on 22 of their 27 field goals.
 
McKenzi Williams led four Seattle players in double figures with a game-high 12 points.
 
Next the Pilots welcome the No. 9 Oregon Ducks to the Chiles Center on Monday night for an 8 p.m. tip-off. The game will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Northwest.