SPOKANE, Wash. – Portland and Gonzaga exchanged leads three times in the final minute before the host Bulldogs pulled out the late victory with a 66-65 decision Thursday night in West Coast Conference women's basketball action at McCarthey Athletic Center.
Yvonne Ejim converted a putback with nine seconds left and Portland's two attempts at the end of regulation missed as the Bulldogs (11-8, 6-2 WCC) hung on for the win.
The Pilots (16-3, 5-3) overcame a 11-point fourth quarter deficit and navigated three starters fouling out to put themselves in position for the win.
Portland had three players score in double figures, led by Maisie Burnham, who had 20 points and three steals before fouling out midway through the fourth quarter. Emme Shearer, who fouled out in the final minute added 13 points, while Alexis Mark helped out with 11 points and four steals.
Starting center Trista Hull also fouled out early in the fourth quarter and was limited to just 18 minutes, while top reserve Dyani Ananiev was unavailable due to injury.
Despite the obstacles, Portland took the lead twice in the final minute of the seesaw battle but had no answer for Ejim who finished with a career high 35 points and 13 rebounds.
How It Happened
Portland started off strong, putting together a 17-16 lead heading into the second quarter. The Pilots capitalized on five Gonzaga turnovers in the period, turning them into five points on the other end of the floor.
Gonzaga rallied to take an 18-17 lead before Portland went on a 5-0 run starting at the 9:27 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Burnham, to take a 22-18 lead. The Bulldogs then battled back to even it up at 29-29 heading into halftime. Portland scored two of its 12 total points in the period on second chance opportunities created by pulling down two offensive rebounds.
Gonzaga proceeded to take over in the third quarter and the Pilots entered the fourth trailing 49-38.
Portland narrowed its deficit to 59-53 before going on a 7-0 run to seize a 60-59 lead with 2:00 on a pair of free throws by Mark. Ejim gave the lead back to Gonzaga with two free throws but Shearer answered with a three-point play for a 63-61 lead. Ejim converted a three-point play of her own and fouled out Shearer with 39 seconds left.
Rhyan Mogel made a runner to put the Pilots up 65-64 before Ejim converted a putback with nine seconds remaining.
Following a timeout, Lainey Spear missed a corner three and Mogel's putback attempt rimmed off at the buzzer as Gonzaga secured the season sweep.
Game Notes
» The Pilots put on a passing clinic, recording an assist on 60 percent of made field goals.
» Portland played solid perimeter defense, holding Gonzaga to 18 percent from three point land on 17 attempts.
» The Portland defense forced 18 turnovers.
» Portland cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 15 offensive boards in the game.
» Maisie Burnham led the Pilots with 20 points.
» Portland got a team-high six rebounds from Trista Hull.
» The Pilots shot just 35 percent compared to Gonzaga's 42 percent.
Up Next
The Pilots will make the trip down I-5 to visit the Oregon State Beavers on Saturday at 6 p.m.
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