LOS ANGELES, Calif. --- Portland's Maddie Muhlheim drained seven three's and poured in 27 points, Alex Fowler also scored 27 points and collected a career-high 15 rebounds, and the Pilots pulled away from LMU in the fourth quarter to top the Lions 89-78 in a West Coast Conference women's basketball game played on Saturday afternoon Gersten Pavilion. Haylee Andrews added 15 points, six assists, and six rebounds for the Pilots.
 
It's the fourth straight win for Portland, which improves to 18-10 and to 11-6 in the WCC. With only one regular season game remaining, the Pilots can't finish lower than fourth in the league's standings.
 
The game with LMY was close through the first three quarters as the Pilots took a one-point edge to the final frame. Muhlheim then hit a three-pointer early in the period, and Fowler followed with a traditional three-point play to help Portland push their lead to seven points.
 
Moments later the Lions had cut the deficit down to just three points, but Andersen and Fowler connected on consecutive field goals to extend their lead back to seven. Andersen added two more buckets shortly after, and eventually Portland's lead crew to double digits as the Pilots would soon secure the road win.
 
The Pilots shot a blistering 57 percent from the floor, which matches a season-best.
 
Muhlheim was 7-for-9 overall on three-pointers, and she came close to threatening her school record for most three's in a game, which is nine. She was also a perfect 6-for-6 on free throws.
 
Fowler records her sixth double-double of the year.
 
Cierra Ellington was LMU's top scorer with 19 points.
 
The Pilots fell into an early hole as LMU jumped out to a 10-2 lead in the first. Portland responded with seven straight points to stay within reach. Muhlheim hit a three-pointer to spark the run, and she'd hit three from deep during the opening quarter, but the Lions led 21-17.
 
Fowler got it going offensively in the second, and at one point she scored eight straight points to put the Pilots in front by five. Kelsey Lenzie helped keep the Pilots ahead with a three-pointer, but a late run by LMU allowed the Lions to re-claim the lead. Andrews then connected on a jumper, and the two teams entered the halftime locker room tied, 42-42.
 
Muhlheim continued her hot shooting in the third quarter as she buried another three-pointer to put the Pilots back in on top by five. But LMU refused to go away, and it was 61-60 going to the fourth.
 
The 18 wins for the Pilots are the most since Portland also won 18 in 2009-10, and you have to go all the way back to 1996-97 to find a season with more conference wins. That year the Pilots went a perfect 14-0 in league play when the WCC featured just eight teams.
 
The Pilots next conclude the regular season next Saturday when they host No. 13 and WCC Champion Gonzaga at the Chiles Center. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m., and the Pilots will honor Andersen, the lone senior on the roster, with a pregame ceremony.