Jan. 21, 2006

Box Score

PORTLAND, Ore. --- Senior point guard Whitney Grant scored 21 of her career-high 26 points in the second half, as the Portland Pilots beat the San Diego Toreros 65-54 in a West Coast Conference women's basketball game Saturday afternoon at the Chiles Center. The win snapped a 10-game slide for the Pilots, who improve to 4-15 overall and 1-5 in the WCC. San Diego, which was paced by senior guard Tiara Harris with 16 points, falls to 6-12 this season, 1-4 in the conference.

USD held a slim 25-22 edge at the break, and found itself leading 45-43 with 9:26 left to play. At that point the host Pilots erupted for a 22-5 run the rest of the way, fueled by 13 points from Grant. Portland received 10 points from freshman forward Allyson Sievers and a solid all-around game from freshman forward Karlie Burris, who finished with five points, five steals, four rebounds and three assists.

But it was the senior Grant, a four-year starter for the Pilots, who took over the game in the second half. During the game-ending run, Grant scored two three-pointers, including one from deep in the right corner, scored on two lay-ups, connected on three free throws and dished out an assist. The Pilots shot 26 for 58 (44.8 percent) from the field and connected on two of its 11 three-point attempts.

Following senior guard Tiara Harris'16 points was senior guard Polly Dong with 12. Amanda Rego chipped in with 6 points, 6 rebounds, 6 steals, 4 assists, but 8 turnovers. USD won the battle of the boards 35-33. The Toreros struggled with their shooting, netting just 35.3 percent (18 for 51) from the field.

USD returns home this week for games against Saint Mary's (Jan. 26) and Santa Clara (Jan. 28).