PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Portland Pilots are off to their best start since the 2001-02 season with an 85-66 win over the California Baptist Lancers. They are 5-0 to start the year, having won each of those games by double-digits.
The Pilots (5-0) had four players score in double figures, led by Emme Shearer, who had a season-high 18 points and two steals. Maisie Burnham added 16 points and Alexis Mark chipped in as well with 14 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
The Portland offense made hay from three-point land, pouring in 11 threes on 28 attempts. Shearer and McKelle Meek each hit three treys for the Pilots in the contest.
Portland forced 17 California Baptist turnovers with eight steals. The Pilots turned those takeaways into 25 points on the offensive end of the floor. Lainey spear, Hull and Shearer led the way with two steals each.
How It Happened
The Pilots and Lancers played a back-and-forth first quarter early before Portland pulled away to make it 22-16 at the break. Portland kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 10-0 run to start the second quarter, increasing their lead to 32-16. The Lancers cut into that lead, but the Pilots still enjoyed a 35-26 advantage heading into halftime.
Following halftime, Portland continued to expand its advantage, pushing it to 38-28 before going on an 8-0 run, punctuated by a three from McKelle Meek, to expand its lead further to 46-28 with 7:56 to go in the third. Before the third period was over, the Pilots added six points to that lead and entered the fourth quarter with a 66-42 edge. Portland knocked down six three-pointers in the quarter to score 18 of their 31 total points.
Portland kept its lead intact before going on a 5-0 run, finished off by Shearer's three, to grow the lead to 75-46 with 7:54 to go in the contest. The Lancers narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Pilots still cruised the rest of the way for the 85-66 win.
Game Notes
» Portland lit it up from three point land, knocking down 11 treys in the game.
» Portland also shot 94.7% from the free throw line, hitting 18 of 19 free throws.
» Portland recorded 19 total assists in the game.
» The Portland defense forced 17 turnovers and added eight steals.
» Emme Shearer led the Pilots with a game-high 18 points. That's a season high for the guard.
» Three other Pilots scored in double digits: Maisie Burnham, Alexis Mark and Trista Hull. Burnham is the only Pilot to cross the double-digit threshold in every game this season.
» Portland got a game-high eight rebounds from Alexis Mark. She's grabbed at least six rebounds in every game this year.
» The Pilots are 5-0 to start the season. It's the best start they've had since the 2001-02 season.
» The Pilots have won their first five games by double digits for the first time in program history.
Up Next
The Pilots will partake in the Nugget Classic, hosted by the Nevada Wolfpack down in Reno between Nov. 29 and Dec. 1. They will play the tournament over Thanksgiving Weekend, taking on the Southern Utah Thunderbirds for their first game on Friday, Nov. 29 at 3 p.m. Check PortlandPilots.com for live stats and video options.
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