PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Pilots dominated in their opening game of the 2026-27 season, defeating the Willamette Bearcats 107-29 to start the season 1-0.
In her first game as a Pilot, Sara Mangan led the Pilots in scoring with 13 points and three made 3-pointers, the most by a Pilot freshman in their debut since Emme Shearer had 14 points in 2020. Mangan, Rhyan Mogel and Brynn Smith all scored in double-digits, with Mogel scoring 10 points and Smith 11.
The Pilots shot 57.7% from the field with 45 field goals made. 14 Pilots played on Monday, with all 14 scoring. Portland got 69 points in total from their bench. Their 78-point margin of victory is the highest since they won by 81 points last season against Warner Pacific.
The defense set the tone for the Pilots, with Portland accumulating 27 steals and forcing 38 turnovers. That's the most steals and turnovers the Pilots have forced in a game in three years, when they forced the same number against Warner Pacific. Tiffany Barbosa's six steals led the way. Portland scored 62 points off turnovers. Portland had six blocks as well, with Lainey Spear recording two of those blocks.
How It Happened
Portland blitzed the Bearcats in the first quarter, forcing 14 turnovers and 12 steals, with Ananiev's three steals leading Portland. The Pilots scored 21 points on those turnovers and shot 60.0% from the field overall. The Pilots outscored the Bearcats 32-6 after one.
The second quarter followed much of the same script. The Pilots drained four 3-pointers in the quarter and shot 66.7% overall. Portland added five more steals and forced 10 more turnovers overall as they continued to punish the Bearcats defensively. 10 different Pilots scored in the quarter as they put up another 32 points to lead 64-18 at the half.
The second half played out similarly. Portland gave up just 11 points in the final two quarters and scored 43 points, with several players getting run. The Pilots continued to pelt the Bearcats, ultimately winning 107-29.
Game Notes
- All 14 Pilots who played scored on the day, led by 13 points from Sara Mangan. It's the most for a freshman in their Pilot debut since Emme Shearer scored 14 points in 2020 against Seattle U.
- Rhyan Mogel and Brynn Smith were the other double-digit scores, with 10 and 11 points respectively.
- Portland had 27 steals on the day and forced 38 turnovers. Tiffany Barbosa's six steals led the way, a career high.
- The Pilots' 27 steals are the most in a single game since 2023, when they had 28 against Warner Pacific. That same game, they forced 38 turnovers as well.
- Portland scored 62 points off turnovers and got 69 bench points.
- Portland outrebounded the Bearcats 39-19, with Julia Dalan and Goundo Diakite leading the way with five each.
- The Pilots had nine 3-pointers, with Mangan's three leading the way.
- Portland's 45 made field goals are the most in any contest in the 2000s.
- This is the second time in the last two seasons the Pilots have scored 107 points, having done so against Warner Pacific last year. Portland's 78-point margin of victory is the largest since that Warner Pacific game as well.
- Four Pilots made their collegiate debuts: Mangan, Pahlyss Hokianga, Maddie Angus and Goundo Diakite.
- The Pilots have now won their last nine season openers.
Up Next
The Pilots will play the BYU Cougars on the road for their next contest on Nov. 5. The two teams play at 6 p.m. Pacific Time in Provo. Check PortlandPilots.com for live stats and video options.
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