MORAGA, Calif. -- The Portland Pilots once again came back from a double-digit deficit to win on the road, clawing back from a 14-point deficit against the Saint Mary's Gaels for the 71-69 win in Moraga.
The Pilots (23-3, 12-3) had three players score in double figures, led by Emme Shearer, who matched her career-high with 26 points and three steals. Alexis Mark tacked on a double-double with 13 points and 11 assists and McKelle Meek helped out with 11 points and seven assists. Mark had nine rebounds as well, coming just one rebound away from a triple-double.
The Portland offense was very productive from downtown, making 10 threes on 20 attempts. Shearer was the most prolific shooter for the Pilots, draining three treys in the contest. The Portland defense caused its share of mistakes in Thursday's game, forcing 18 Saint Mary's turnovers while forcing 10 steals. Those takeaways turned into 22 points on the offensive end of the floor.
How It Happened
Portland kept it close in the first quarter, but entered the second frame down 19-18. The Pilots continued to battle with the Gaels, with Saint Mary's pulling away at points, but the Pilots managed to close the gap and keep it a three-point game at halftime.
Saint Mary's continued to increase its lead after halftime, building a 51-37 advantage to give the Pilots their biggest deficit of the game. Portland went on an 8-0 run to trim the lead to 51-45 with 36 seconds to go in the third, a score which remained until the end of the third quarter.
The Pilots came alive in the final quarter. They made it a one-point game before scoring six unanswered to take a 62-57 lead. The Gaels narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but McKelle Meek scored 11 points in the quarter, Emme Shearer added another eight and Alexis Mark carved up the defense to lead Portland to a 71-69.
Game Notes
» Alexis Mark notched a double-double for the Pilots with 13 points and 11 assists. It's her fifth doube-double of the year and her first with points and assists.
» The Pilots trailed by as many as 14 points in the third quarter, fighting for the comeback win.
» The Pilots made half of their attempts from three point range, knocking down 10 of 20 shots.
» The Pilots shared the ball well, recording an assist on 84% of made field goals with 21 assists.
» Alexis Mark's 11 assists are a career high.
» The Portland defense forced 18 turnover with 10 steals.
» Emme Shearer led the Pilots with a game-high 26 points. It also matches a career-high.
» Shearer's 26 points pushes her across the 1,500-point threshold for her career. She's just the eighth Pilot to score at least 1,500 points for their career.
» The Pilots earned their 23rd win in 26 games, their best start through that many games since the 1996-97 season.
» Portland's 23 wins are tied for the most they've had in a single season under head coach Michael Meek.
Up Next
The Pilots return home to host the Washington State Cougars on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 3 p.m. Saturday's game is a doubleheader with the men, who play the LMU Lions at 7 p.m. Check PortlandPilots.com for live stats and video options.
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