Portland rallies after 12-point first-quarter deficit, beats Washington State 68-61 in Pullman WCC game
Portland flips the game after a slow opening quarter
Portland used a decisive middle stretch Thursday, Feb. 12, to pull away from Washington State and secure a 68-61 women’s basketball win at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman. The result extended Portland’s winning streak to four and moved the Pilots to 15-10 overall and 9-4 in West Coast Conference play. Washington State fell to 5-22 overall and 4-10 in league action.
Washington State opened with control on both ends, holding Portland to two points in the first quarter while building a 14-2 lead. That early advantage did not carry into the second period, when Portland’s perimeter shooting changed the shape of the game.
Second-quarter shooting surge turns momentum
Portland’s response came quickly in the second quarter, as the Pilots hit seven three-pointers in the period, their season high for a quarter. A late 12-0 burst closed the half and put Portland in front 31-27 at the break after trailing by 12 in the opening minutes.
The quarter-by-quarter scoring reflected the swing: Washington State led 14-2 after one, but Portland took the second 29-13. The Pilots continued to create separation in the third quarter, outscoring the Cougars 22-17 to take a 53-44 lead into the final period.
Key sequences: free throws, a halfcourt heave, and late-game management
The third quarter featured a brief Washington State push—an 8-0 run that reclaimed the lead—before Portland answered with a 10-2 stretch over the next several minutes. Portland also generated points at the free-throw line during that phase, helping stabilize its advantage.
A halfcourt shot by Florence Dallow at the end of the third quarter was among the defining moments, pushing Portland’s lead to 53-44 entering the fourth.
In the final quarter, Portland reached a double-digit lead and maintained enough control to withstand a late Washington State rally attempt, closing out the seven-point win.
Notable individual performance and what the result means
Portland guard Rhyan Mogel posted a career-high 20 points, including four made three-pointers, in a game where Portland’s second-quarter shotmaking provided the foundation for the comeback.
For Portland, the win reinforced its position in the WCC race by pairing perimeter efficiency with steady closing execution. For Washington State, the game fit a season pattern in which strong starts have not consistently translated into full-game offensive output, particularly when opponents generate extended runs.
- Final score: Portland 68, Washington State 61
- Location: Beasley Coliseum, Pullman, Washington
- Records after the game: Portland 15-10 (9-4 WCC), Washington State 5-22 (4-10 WCC)