EL PASO, Texas -- The Portland Pilots outscored the UTEP Miners 19-10 in the fourth quarter to force overtime, eventually defeating the Miners 68-63. It's the second comeback victory Portland's pulled off in as many weeks.
The Pilots (6-5) had three players score in double figures, led by Kennedy Dickie, who had a season-high 16 points. Kianna Hamilton-Fisher tacked on a season-high 15 points and four assists off the bench and Burnham helped out with 12 points.
Portland utilized great ball movement in Saturday's game, piling up 18 assists on 24 made field goals. Individually, McKelle Meek was on top of the distribution list for the Pilots with five assists.
The Portland defense held UTEP shooters to only 36.4% from the field, including 14.3% from three-point range.
How It Happened
After trading early baskets, Portland went on a short 5-0 run with 8:00 left in the first quarter, culminating in a 3-pointer from Burnham, to take a 9-4 lead. The Pilots eventually surrendered that lead and entered the second quarter down 18-17.
Portland then started off the second quarter by going on a 7-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Hamilton-Fisher, to take a 24-18 lead. The Miners then came roaring back to take a 30-26 late, but the Pilots cut the lead to one on a last-second 3-pointer from Dickie.
The Pilots came out of halftime on fire, grabbing a 34-30 lead with 8:38 to go in the third. UTEP responded to seize a 47-38 lead entering the fourth quarter.
Portland narrowed its deficit to 49-44 before turning up the heat and going on a 10-0 run, finished off by Hamilton-Fisher's jumper, to seize a 54-49 lead with 4:24 to go in the fourth. The Miners then fought back to even things up at 57-57 and send the game to overtime.
Portland grabbed a 60-59 lead with 2:13 left in the first overtime before going on a 7-0 run, finished off by Dyani Ananiev's three, to grow its advantage to 67-59 with 57 seconds to go in the period. The Pilots held on for the 68-63 win.
Game Notes
» Portland rallied from a nine-point 47-38 deficit entering the fourth to force the game into overtime. It's the second week in a row the Pilots have made a comeback in the second half to win.
» The Pilots shot well from 3-point range, knocking down 7-of-16 long-range attempts.
» Portland held the Miners to only 36.4% shooting from the field.
» The Pilots put on a passing clinic, recording an assist on 75 percent of made baskets for 18 total.
» The Portland bench came alive by scoring 29 points to its scoring output. The bench was led by Hamilton who had a season-high 15 with seven made free throws, the most made free throws in a game for a Pilot this year.
» The Portland defense forced 23 turnovers.
» The Pilots were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, recording eight blocks as a team. Cochrane had six of those blocks.
» Cochrane has posted at least six blocks in four different games this season.
» Kennedy Dickie led the Pilots with a season-high 16 points. It's the second game in a row where she's led the Pilots in scoring.
» Portland got a team-high nine rebounds from Cochrane. She's recorded at least nine rebounds five games in a row, the longest streak for any Pilot since the 2021-22 season.
» Ananiev put up six stocks (combined steals and blocks) with four steals and two blocks. She's posted at least five stocks in four games this year.
Up Next
The Pilots are back on the road for a showdown against a college basketball powerhouse, the No. 9 Stanford Cardinal. The two teams meet in Paolo Alto on Friday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. Check PortlandPilots.com for live stats and video options.
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