PORTLAND, Ore. — Just like at San Francisco a couple weeks ago, San Diego women's basketball faced a one-possession deficit entering the final minute on Saturday on the road at Portland in its West Coast Conference clash against the Pilots.

After Portland went 1-of-2 at the free throw line inside of 10 seconds, USD called timeout, giving head coach Blanche Alverson time to draw up a play for freshman Olivia Owens, who scored a game-high 27-points with five made 3-pointers. 

Owens took advantage of two screens and had an open look from beyond the arc. However, Owens' shot hit off the front rim, leading to San Diego falling 64-59 at the Chiles Center. 

Once again without Kylie Ray as well as Hallie Rhodes, it was Owens who stepped up offensively. Nearly half of her points came in the third quarter alone. She scored 13 of her 27 points within the first 10 minutes after halftime, highlighted by making all three of her shots from beyond the arc. 

As part of a 25-point third quarter, USD (8-16, 2-9 WCC) went on a 15-0 run to take a 10-point lead with 1:41 left in the quarter. 

San Diego turned a five-point deficit into a 10-point lead when Owens made a 3-point shot in addition to another jumper to tie the game at 37. After Eva Ruse scored in the paint, Owens passed off her hot hand from distance to Lilly Amor and Jessica Ajayi, helping USD extend its lead.  

That big run continued to show the growth for a Toreros team with a first-year head coach and a handful of freshmen and sophomores on the floor. 

Although Portland (13-10, 7-4 WCC) went on an 8-0 run in the fourth quarter, San Diego hung tough to remain in the game. Amor initially stopped the Portland momentum with a 3-pointer in the corner to cut the deficit back down to one point with 1:56 left.  

Another big part in USD staying in the game was due to the Toreros' ability to rebound and prevent second chance opportunities from the Pilots. San Diego, which ranks third in rebounding and second in offensive rebounds in the conference, outrebounded Portland 47-26, including 18-8 in offensive rebounds. 

As a result, the Toreros outscored the Pilots 13-4 in second chance points. Individually Ruse led the way with 10 rebounds and also came one point short of her third double-double of the season. Helen Holley had eight rebounds while Owens and Ayla Williams both had seven rebounds. 

In the game's first 20 minutes, USD shot 25%, despite only trailing by five points, 27-22, at the break. However, their rebounding kept them in the game, outrebounding the Pilots 24-17, including 11-4 on the offensive glass. 

Portland had three scorers in double figures, including 18 points from Florence Dallow, who also added a team-high eight rebounds with three assists and two steals. 
 
Up next, the Toreros return home for three consecutive games at the Jenny Craig Pavilion, beginning on Thursday when San Diego hosts Washington State. Tipoff between USD and the Cougars is slated for 6 p.m. The game will be live streamed on ESPN+. 

NOTABLE 

• The 47 rebounds are tied for the third-most in a game this season (Also: December 28 at Santa Clara)
• USD recorded 18 offensive rebounds, which is also the third-best mark in the game this season. 
• San Diego made eight 3-pointers and shot 47.1% from beyond the arc. The eight made 3-point baskets is the second-most in a game this season while the 47.1% from long range is the fourth-best mark this year. 
• Olivia Owens, who recorded a game-high 27 points, scored USD's first seven points in the first quarter. The 27 points surpassed her previous career-high of 25 when USD hosted Utah State (December 7). 
• Owens was also on the floor for all 40 minutes as her five made three-pointers are a new season-best for the Toreros
• Eva Ruse scored nine points and 10 rebounds, falling just short of a third double-double this season. It is the second time in three games and the third time this season the sophomore has logged double digit rebounds