University of Portland Athletics : Gonzaga Remains Perfect in the WCC, overcoming the Pilots at the Chiles Center

PORTLAND, Ore. --- The Pilots were solid on defense and hung around for most of the night against Gonzaga, but the Bulldogs pulled away in the second half before holding on for a 70-56 win over Portland in a West Coast Conference women's basketball game played on Thursday night at the Chiles Center. Darian Slaga led the Pilots with 14 points. The first quarter was evenly played as both teams opened the game cold from field. Slaga gave the Pilots their biggest lead of the opening frame when she hit a jumper to make it 10-8 game eight minutes in. The Zags tied the score by the end of the first, but Portland pulled ahead by five to open the second period. Maddie Muhlheim hit a lay-up and Rachelle Owens buried a three to hand the Pilots a 15-10 edge. The Bulldogs responded and soon jumped ahead, but an Owens' jumper and a Muhlheim three just before the half kept the Pilots within one. The third quarter belonged to the Bulldogs as they turned a 31-28 lead at the break into a double-digit advantage. Midway through the third, Slaga scored six straight points to pull the Pilots within six, but Gonzaga pushed the lead to 15 by the final quarter. Gonzaga's lead would swell to 19 before they settled for the 14-point win. The Bulldogs (12-4, 5-0 WCC) shot only 35 percent from the floor, but they used a 23-13 edge in free throws to claim the victory. GU also out-rebounded the Pilots 46-29, and Zykera Rice scored a team-best 14 points. Portland (4-12, 0-5 WCC) out-shot Gonzaga, combining to shoot 40 percent. The Pilots were 13 of 16 from the free throw line and connected on three three-pointers. Kate Andersen added nine points, Lisa Kaempf scored eight, and Sara Zaragoza was the team's top rebounder with eight boards. The Pilots next travel to Stockton, Calif., for a 2 p.m. game on Saturday against the Pacific Tigers.