PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Portland Pilots took their second conference match of the weekend and third in a row with a 73-63 win over the Santa Clara Broncos.
The Pilots (11-7, 3-1) had three players score in double figures, led by Emme Shearer, who had 15 points, four assists, five steals and two blocks. Maisie Burnham added 14 points and three steals and Dyani Ananiev helped out with 10 points, three steals and two blocks from the bench.
Portland took advantage of excellent ball movement in Saturday's game, piling up 17 assists on 28 made field goals. Individually, Kianna Hamilton led the way with four assists.
Portland forced 19 Santa Clara turnovers in Saturday's game with 12 steals. The Pilots turned those takeaways into 22 points on the other end of the floor. Shearer's five steals led the way for Portland.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 9-7 advantage, Portland went on an 8-0 run with 4:46 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Lucy Cochrane, to increase its lead to 17-7. The Pilots then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 23-16 advantage.
Portland built that first quarter lead to 27-19 before going on a 9-0 run starting at the 7:45 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Shearer, to increase its lead to 36-19. The Broncos cut into that lead, but the Pilots still enjoyed a 40-26 advantage heading into halftime. Portland dominated in the paint, scoring 12 of its 17 points close to the basket.
The Broncos cut into that lead somewhat in the third, but the Pilots still entered the fourth quarter with a 51-39 edge. Portland played well near the basket again, scoring 10 points in the paint.
Portland kept its lead intact in the fourth before going on a 6-0 run, finished off by Ananiev's three, to grow the lead to 58-45 with 5:46 to go in the contest. The Pilots cruised the rest of the way for the 73-63 win.
Game Notes
» The Pilots never trailed after taking a 7-4 first-quarter lead.
» Portland tallied 17 total assists in the game.
» The Portland bench made an impact by adding 22 points to its scoring output. Ananiev scored 10 off the bench while Natalie Fraley added seven.
» The Portland defense forced 19 turnovers with 12 steals. Shearer led the way with five steals.
» The Pilots were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, tallying five blocks as a team. Ananiev and Shearer led the way with two blocks each.
» Shearer and Ananiev had a combined 12 steals and blocks.
» Shearer led the Pilots with 15 points.
» Burnham scored in double digits for the 14th time this season.
» Seven players scored at least seven points for Portland.
Up Next
The Pilots are home for a matchup against the Saint Mary's Gaels on Thursday, Jan. 18 at 5 p.m. The game is part of a doubleheader with the men, who play the San Diego Toreros at 7:30 p.m. Check PortlandPilots.com for live stats and video options.
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