LAS VEGAS, Nev. --- The Portland Pilots completed their improbable run by holding off the San Diego Toreros in overtime, winning 64-63 to claim the 2020 University Credit Union West Coast Conference Tournament Championship at the Orleans Arena on Tuesday afternoon. It's only the second WCC tournament title in the history of the Portland women's basketball program, and it secures the Pilots' first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 1997.
 
Haylee Andrews came through with two clutch shots during the win, one at the end of regulation to force overtime, and she hit what would prove to be the game-winner in overtime.

Andrews and Alex Fowler then both split a pair of one-and-one's from the line to give the lead back to the Pilots, but USD refused to go away.
 
Down two, the Toreros' Jordyn Edwards drilled a step-back three-pointer to put San Diego back in front with 1:27 left. The Pilots and Toreros would exchange turnovers from there, and the Pilots had the ball down one with just under a minute left to play.
 
That's when they turned to their all-conference point guard Andrews, and just like she did against No. 11 Gonzaga in the semifinals she calmly buried the go-ahead bucket. Andrews gained possession in the left wing, backed down her defender, and hit a turn-around floater to give Portland the one-point lead.
 
On the other end the Pilots forced a turnover, but on the ensuing possession they couldn't control the offensive rebound after a miss, setting up one last effort for San Diego with 10 seconds remaining. The ball ended up in the hands of Erica Martinsen, and as time expired her three was off, clinching the championship for the Pilots.
 
It's the first league tournament title for Portland since 1994.
 
Following the win, Fowler was named the tournament MVP after averaging 23.3 points during Portland's three-game stay in Vegas. Fowler also landed on the all-tournament team and was joined by Andrews.
 
Portland improves to 21-11 on the year, which are the most victories since that 1997 squad compiled 27. Prior to the title game, the Pilots defeated Pacific 76-69 on Saturday, and toppled the regular season champion Bulldogs 70-69 on Monday.
 
San Diego (20-11) scored the game's first eight points as the Pilots committed some early turnovers. Portland cleaned it up from there and scored eight straight points to tie the score. Andrews fueled the run with consecutive lay-ins.

The Toreros held a slight 12-11 edge going to the second, but the Pilots quickly surged ahead. Maddie Muhlheim cut across the lane and banked one in while getting fouled, and she'd convert another lay-in soon after that on a nice feed from Keeley Frawley. Fowler then produced in the post, and Jayce Gorzeman finished with the left hand to put Portland on top 26-16
 
The Toreros did end the half with a mini run, and the Pilots led 38-25 at the break.
 
Muhlheim buried a corner three to begin the third quarter, but San Diego then made a run to jump ahead. The Pilots answered with an elbow jumper by Fowler, and a driving lay-up from Andrews evened the score 37-37. The Toreros then opened a six-point lead, but the Pilots didn't falter. Kate Andersen found Fowler down low, and Frawley scored with a nice hesitation move as the score was tied 43-43 going to the final frame.
 
The paced picked up in the fourth and each team took turns coming up with buckets. The quarter featured seven ties and five lead changes, and again it was Andrews who provided the clutch shot in the closing minutes.
 
The Toreros did claim a three-point lead after Edwards drained a three, and they forced a turnover shortly after, but they were unable to take advantage. Andrews then cut into the deficit with a lay-up, and Fowler handed the lead back to the Pilots with a turn-around jumper.
 
Two free throws by Myah Pace put San Diego back on top, and Andrews hit one of two to re-tie the score with only 53 seconds remaining. Fowler did collect the offensive rebound oin the miss, but Portland couldn't convert, and Pace connected in the lane to give USD the two-point edge with 11 seconds showing on the clock.
 
As the final seconds rolled off the clock at the end of regulation, the Pilots went to Andrews, and as she has repeatedly done this season, she hit a tough shot to extend the game.
 
Fowler recorded a double-double, her seventh of the year, with a game-high 21 points and 10 rebounds. Andrews finished with 18 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, and Muhlheim added 10 points.
 
The Pilots next learn their fate with the NCAA Tournament Selection show, which is scheduled for Monday, March 16, at 4 p.m.
 
Portland is under the guidance of first-year head coach Michael Meek, and they were picked to finish last in the WCC preseason poll.