STANFORD, Calif. -- An overtime thriller in Maples Pavilion saw the Portland Pilots beat the 2-seed Stanford Cardinal on the road 69-68 to advance to the second round of the Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT). This is the fourth win in the Portland Pilots' postseason history and their first ever in the WBIT.
The Pilots (30-4) had two players score in double figures, led by Shearer, who matched a career-high with 28 points and hit the game-winning free throw with 1.8 seconds left. Maisie Burnham added 14 points, eight rebounds and two steals and Trista Hull added eight points, six rebounds, two steals and two blocks.
The Portland defense held Stanford shooters to just 39.7% from the field, including 26.3% from three-point range. They forced 20 turnovers and added 10 steals as well.
How It Happened
After falling behind 11-6, Portland went on a 7-0 run with 6:22 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Shearer, to take a 13-11 lead halfway through the first. Stanford then responded to tie things up at 18-18 heading into the second quarter. Portland started hot from outside, knocking down four three-pointers to account for 12 of their 18 points.
The Cardinal then took control in the second quarter and the Pilots entered halftime behind 40-29. Stanford built that lead to 42-29 advantage before Portland went on a 9-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Hull, to trim its deficit to 42-38 with 2:23 to go in the third, with Stanford eventually pushing it to a 48-42 at the end of the third.
The Pilots turned up the heat in the fourth. They narrowed the deficit to 56-51 before going on a 7-0 run, finished off by a crucial three from Hull, to seize a 58-56 lead with 2:11 to go in the fourth. It was all even at 60 with 26.8 to go, giving the Pilots one last shot in regulation to tie. Alexis Mark's shot was no good, leading to overtime.
Stanford snagged a 64-60 advantage with 3:14 left in the first overtime before Portland responded by going on a 5-0 run, finished off by Shearer's layup, to seize a 65-64 lead with 2:38 to go in the period. The Pilots and Cardinal continuously traded leads, with neither team earning a clear advantage. With it all knotted up at 68 and Pilots ball, Shearer once again took it to the rack and got the foul call with 1.8 seconds to go. After missing the first, Shearer drained the second, giving Portland the 69-68 win in OT.
Game Notes
» Portland rallied from an 11-point 40-29 halftime deficit to force overtime and ultimately pick up the victory.
» The Pilots held the Cardinal to only 39.7% shooting from the field.
» The Portland defense forced 20 turnovers and added 10 steals in the game.
» Emme Shearer led the Pilots with a game-high 28 points. That also matches a career high.
» This is the third overtime win the Pilots have earned this season.
» This is the fourth postseason win at the Division I level for the Pilots and the first in the WBIT.
» This is the first win ever for the Pilots over Stanford in five tries.
» The Pilots have reached 30 wins for the first time ever as a Division I program. They last hit 30 wins in the 1983-84 season.
Up Next
The Pilots will travel east to take on the 3-seed Seton Hall Pirates in New Jersey. The two teams play on Sunday, March 23 at 1 p.m. Check PortlandPilots.com for live stats and video options.