ANCHORAGE, Alaska --- After falling behind big in the third quarter, the Pilots went a lengthy run to climb within six points of Southern California, but the Trojans used clutch shooting and timely defense down the stretch to defeat Portland 67-54 in the title game of the Great Alaska Shootout at the Alaska Airlines Center on Wednesday night. Julie Spencer led the way offensively for the Pilots with a career-high 11 points.
With the Pilots trailing by 19 midway through the third period, Ashley Gray went to work on the glass, corralling rebounds at both ends of the court, while repeatedly going to the free throw line.