SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- After having missed two free throws on the possession prior, Alexis Mark hit the game-sealing and-one to give Portland the 68-67 win.
The Pilots (27-3, 16-3) had four players score in double figures, led by Emme Shearer, who had 20 points. Mark added 16 points, six rebounds and two blocks and Trista Hull chipped in as well with a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. It's the first double-double of the year for Hull. Maisie Burnham added 12 points as well.
With the win, the Pilots broke a program record for conference wins in a season, sitting at 16 with one game to play. Their 27 wins are tied for the most they've had in a season since the 1996-97 campaign.
How It Happened
After falling behind 14-12, Portland went on a 6-0 run with 2:47 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Shearer, to take an 18-14 lead. The Dons cut into that lead slightly, but Portland still held a 21-19 advantage after one.
San Francisco fought back to tie the game at 27-27 before Portland went on a 6-0 run starting at the 5:48 mark in the second period, highlighted by a three from Burnham, to take a 33-27 lead. The Dons then battled back to even it up at 37-37 heading into halftime. San Francisco proceeded to take over in the third quarter and the Pilots entered the fourth trailing 56-50.
But the Pilots never backed down, evening the game deep into the fourth to put themselves in it. Mark missed two free throws with 11 seconds to play down one, but the Dons made just one of two on the other to make it 67-65 San Francisco. Mark bounced back, grabbing her own rebound off a miss and putting in the and-one layup to tie it up at 67. Mark nailed the free throw, with Dons launching a half-court heave that was blocked by Shearer. The Pilots escaped with a 68-67 victory on the Hilltop.
Game Notes
» Trista Hull notched a double-double for the Pilots with 13 points and 10 rebounds. It's her first double-double this season.
» The Pilots rallied from a six-point 56-50 third quarter deficit to pick up the win.
» The Pilots shot well from three-point range, knocking down seven of 16 long range attempts.
» Portland had a 33-31 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Portland defense forced 15 turnovers with eight steals.
» Emme Shearer led the Pilots with 20 points. This is her 10th 20-point game this season.
» This is the 16th win in WCC play, a program record for conference wins in a season.
» With 27 wins, the Pilots have matched the 1996-97 campaign for wins in a season.
» Shearer moved to fifth all-time for the Pilots in career points, now sitting at 1,576 for her career.
» Burnham moved to seventh all-time for Portland at 1,553. She has 1,855 points total for her career.
Up Next
The Pilots finish the regular season on the road against the Pacific Tigers in Stockton. The two teams play on Saturday, March 1 at 1 p.m. Check PortlandPilots.com for live stats and video options.
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