PORTLAND, Ore. --- With the scored tied and the clock winding down late in the fourth quarter, junior guard Haylee Andrews drove into the lane and hit a tough shot to put Portland on top of Pacific with just 0.9 showing on the clock, and the Pilots would hold on for a 69-67 win over the Tigers on Monday afternoon at the Chiles Center.
 
After Andrews' clutch bucket, the Tigers called time out and advanced the ball to center court, giving them one last attempt. On the in-bounds play, Valerie Higgins did get a shot off in time, but it bounced off the backboard and the rim as the Pilots prevailed.
 
The game-winner is just the latest for Andrews, who has already compiled an impressive collection of clutch shots and last-second baskets during her career. She also became a 1,000-point scorer recently, and she now has 1,029 points as a Pilot.
 
Her heroics were needed Monday against Pacific because the game was back-and-forth all afternoon. Portland did build a nine-point lead early in the fourth quarter when Alex Fowler connected down low, but the advantage soon evaporated as the Tigers refused to go away.
 
McKelle Meek hit a big three-pointer during the frame, and when Fowler converted a traditional three-point with 1:53 remaining, Portland was up 65-61. Moments later, Pacific pulled even with the Pilots after Higgins recorded a three-point play of her own, but Andrews answered with a lay-in with 1:09 left to put Portland back in front.
 
Higgins again tied the score with another lay-up at the other end before Fowler collected a huge offensive rebound on a miss free throw with 17 seconds remaining, setting up the final play from Andrews.
 
After a timeout and the seconds ticking off the clock, Andrews gained possession near the top of the key, drove left, stepped back into the paint, and floated one in for what would prove to be the winner.
 
She finished with 17 points and five assists against the Tigers, while Fowler scored a team-high 20 points. It's the fourth time this season to score at least 20 points for Fowler. Emme Shearer also reached double digit points, adding 10 before fouling out.
 
Higgins led Pacific (6-9, 4-8 West Coast Conference) with 17 points.
 
The Pilots (10-7, 7-4 WCC) looked to be in control in the first quarter, and they were ahead by 10 when Shearer buried a three. Midway through the second period, the Tigers had surged in front, but late in the half Kelsey Lenzie and Shearer drilled a couple of three-pointers, giving the edge back to Portland.
 
The score was deadlocked 29-29 at half, and the Pilots again crept in front during the third. By the end of the quarter, Portland was ahead by nine with the help of lay-ins by Andrews and Meek, and a three-ball from Tyler McCliment-Call.
 
The game was the first of three WCC contests for the Pilots at home this week. Next is a visit from the Santa Clara Broncos on Thursday, with tip-off set for 5 p.m. at the Chiles Center.