MORAGA, Calif. -- The Portland Pilots stifled the Saint Mary's Gaels offensively in their 68-35 win down in Moraga. The win is the fourth in a row for Portland in conference play.
The Pilots (15-8, 7-2) had three players score in double figures, led by Emme Shearer, who had 15 points, seven rebounds and four steals. Maisie Burnham added 14 points, six rebounds and two steals and Dyani Ananiev helped out with 13 points, seven rebounds and three steals off of the bench.
Shearer pulled down three offensive rebounds to lead an offense that racked up second chance opportunities for Portland, grabbing 16 boards and turning them into 11 second chance points.
Portland exceled at disrupting Saint Mary's shots in the contest, coming away with five blocks. Lucy Cochrane led the way individually for the Pilots with two rejections.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 10-5 advantage, Portland went on a 9-0 run, culminating in a bucket from Burnham, to increase its lead to 19-5, a score that would hold for the rest of the period. Their five points allowed are the fewest the Pilots have conceded in a quarter this season.
Portland kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 6-0 run starting in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Shearer, to lead 25-8. The Gaels cut into that lead, but the Pilots still enjoyed a 32-21 advantage heading into halftime. Portland forced five Saint Mary's turnovers in the period and turned them into six points.
Following intermission, Portland continued to expand its advantage, pushing it to 37-25 before going on a 12-0 run, punctuated by a three from Ananiev, to expand its lead further to 49-25 with 3:01 to go in the third. The Pilots held onto that lead for the rest of the frame and entered the fourth quarter with a 53-29 edge. Portland knocked down three three-pointers in the quarter to score nine of its 21 total points.
Portland kept widening that lead, expanding it to 59-34 before going on a 6-0 run, finished off by Rhyan Mogel's layup, to grow the lead to 65-34 with 1:54 to go in the contest. The Pilots coasted the rest of the way for the 68-35 win. Portland fired away from deep in the quarter, knocking down two shots to account for six of its 15 points.
Game Notes
» The Pilots held the Gaels to only 25% shooting from the field. That's the lowest field-goal percentage they've held an opponent to this year.
» The Pilots allowed the fewest points in a game against a Division I opponent since 2013.
» Portland recorded 15 total assists in the game.
» Portland had a great day defensively, holding Saint Mary's to 11%from beyond the arc on 19 attempts.
» The Portland bench made an impact by scoring 24 points to its scoring output. Dyani Ananiev led the way with 13 points off the pine.They had 16 steals,
» The Pilots turned 23 turnovers into 30 points on the offensive end.
» Portland had a 48-38 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Portland defense forced 23 turnovers. Their 16 steals were tied for the most against a Division I team this season for Portland.
» The Pilots were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, tallying five blocks as a team.
» Portland cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 16 offensive boards in the game.
» Emme Shearer led the Pilots with a game-high 15 points.
» Portland got seven rebounds from both Emme Shearer and Dyani Ananiev. It's a career high for Ananiev
» Portland held the Gaels to single-digit scoring in three out of the four quarters, the first time they've done so this season.
Up Next
The Pilots host the LMU Lions at the Chiles Center on Thursday, Feb. 8. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. Check PortlandPilots.com for live stats and video options.
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