Box Score

PORTLAND, Ore. --- The Loyola Marymount Lions led by 13 at the half and would hold on for a 68-60 win over the Portland Pilots in a West Coast Conference women’s basketball game on Saturday afternoon at the Chiles Center. The Pilots had four players score in double figures, led by seniors Natalie Day and ReZina TecleMariam, who both scored 14 points.
 
After falling behind by sixteen early in the second half, the Pilots (8-15, 1-8 WCC) were able to trim the deficit all the way down to four points. Portland sophomore Amy Pupa followed a three-pointer by Kari Luttinen with a traditional three-point play to help spark a 12-2 UP run. Pupa then made a tough left-handed lay-up to pull the Pilots within 59-55 with 2:45 remaining.
 
But the Pilots couldn’t get the clutch shot they needed after that, and LMU (6-14, 2-6 WCC) would hit enough free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
 
The Lions hurt the Pilots on the glass, finishing with 23 offensive rebounds. LMU’s work on the boards helped the Lions to an 18-3 advantage in second chance points and to a 43-32 edge in overall rebounds.
 
Reigning WCC Player of the Month Alex Cowling took 25 shots on the day, helping her to a game-high 30 points. Hazel Ramirez added 11 points, while Mackenzie Kerins corralled a game-high nine rebounds.
 
Pupa just missed a double-double, finishing with 10 points and eight rebounds. Luttinen added 11 points off the bench.
 
The Pilots shot 43.1 percent for the game and finished with two more field goals than the Lions, who shot 32.3 percent overall. But the Lions hit one more three-pointer than Portland, and connected on 11 more free throws.
 
The Pilots did outscore LMU 30-10 in the paint and held a 16-13 edge in points off of turnovers.
 
Portland next hits the road to face Northwest rival and 20th-ranked Gonzaga on Thursday night in Spokane, Wash. Tip-off between the Pilots and Bulldogs is set for 6 p.m. at the McCarthey Center.