LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- March 12th, 2024
For the fourth time in program history, the third time in five years and the second year in a row, the Portland Pilots women's basketball team won the 2024 Credit Union 1 WCC Women's Basketball Championship. They are back-to-back tournament champions for the first time in program history.
The win means the Pilots are automatic qualifiers for the NCAA Tournament, marking the third time in five years that the Pilots have qualified for the tournament. They played in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1997 last season, taking on the Oklahoma Sooners in the first round of the 2023 tournament.
The Pilots (21-12) had four players score in double figures, led by Kennedy Dickie, who had 16 points. Maisie Burnham added 15 points and three steals and Emme Shearer helped out with 12 points. Dickie was named the WCC Tournament MVP, becoming the second tournament MVP in a row for the Pilots. Burnham also made the All-WCC Tournament Team for the second year in a row.
Portland utilized great ball movement in Tuesday's game, piling up 21 assists on 26 made field goals. Individually, McKelle Meek led the way for the Pilots with six assists and Kianna Hamilton also added five assists of her own.
How It Happened
Portland and the Zags battled in the first quarter, trading baskets and ending with the Bulldogs up 17-14. Portland then started off the second quarter by going on a 6-0 run, highlighted by a three from Natalie Fraley, to take a 20-17 lead. The Bulldogs eventually came back to take a 29-28.
Gonzaga came out firing in the third quarter, building a 34-29 advantage before Portland went on a 7-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Shearer, to grab a 36-34 lead with 6:17 to go in the third. The Pilots held onto that lead for the rest of the frame and entered the fourth quarter with a 50-48 edge. Portland played well near the basket, scoring 14 of its 22 points in the paint.
The Bulldogs proceeded to tie things up at 56-56 before Portland scored five unanswered, finished off by Dickie's three, to seize a 61-56 lead with 5:32 to go in the contest. The Bulldogs narrowed the margin and had one last chance to score with just seconds on the clock, but the Pilots clamped down on the three-point line to alter the shot and get the win.
Game Notes
» The Pilots made half of their attempts from three-point range, knocking down seven of 14 shots.
» Portland held the Bulldogs to only 37.1% shooting from the field.
» The Pilots shared the ball well, recording an assist on 81% of made baskets for 21 total.
» Neither team led by more than five points in the game.
» The Portland defense forced 13 turnovers with six steals.
» The Pilots were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, recording seven blocks as a team.
» Kennedy Dickie led the Pilots with 16 points. She was named the WCC Tournament MVP.
» Maisie Burnham also made the All-WCC Tournament team for the second year in a row.
» Lucy Cochrane passed Lorena Legarde for career blocks as a Pilot and is now at 270 for her career.
» The Pilots won the WCC Tournament for the third time in five years and the second time in a row. It's the first time they've won back-to-back tournaments in program history.
» The Pilots qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row, the third time in five years and the seventh time in program history.
Up Next
The Pilots now await their tournament fate, with Selection Sunday on March 17 at 5 p.m. PST. Portland Pilots athletics will host a watch party on Sunday at the Pilot House. Stay tuned for more information.