Eugene, Ore. – The Titans led from the beginning in their 74-35 win versus Portland at Titan Coliseum.
How it happened:
First quarter: The Titans scored first at the 9:05 mark. The Titans started the game on an 8-2 run thanks to six points from Hailey Stevens. Stevens would end up scoring nine of the first 11 Titan points. The Titans took their first double-digit lead with 4:15 remaining after a Hailey Stevens assisted, Aolani Talamaivao-Calderon basket. The Titans scored the last three points to reclaim their double-digit lead after one, 20-10.
The Titans shot 46.7 percent and outrebounded the Panthers 16-3, but four more turnovers cost the Titans three extra shots.
Second quarter: Mia Morey made a three with 4:23 remaining to give the Titans their first 20-point lead, 37-17. The Titans held Portland scoreless over the final 2:17 and overall only allowed three points over the final 4:34 and scored nine points themselves to take a 23-point lead into half, 43-20.
The Titans shot 55.6 percent and assisted on nine of 10 field goals with only three turnovers.
Third quarter: It took 8:23, but the Titans extended their lead to 30 points, 57-27, after Aolani Talamaivao-Calderon made a layup off an assist by Hailey Stevens. The Titans finished the quarter on a 6-0 run and led 59-27.
The Titans struggled with seven turnovers and no threes or free throw attempts, but a solid 47.1 percent shooting mark and a defense that held Portland to seven points on 16.7 percent shooting carried them. Kendra McAninch led all scorers is the quarter with six points; Kalina Rojas had two points and for rebounds.
Fourth quarter: The Titans opened the quarter on an 8-3 run to extend their lead to 37 points, 67-30, in the first 3:29. After a scoreless 2:46 stretch, the Titans went on a 7-2 run over the next 2:27 to extend their lead to its largest of the game at 40 points, 74-34.
The Titans defense was at its best allowing 7.7 percent shooting and forced six turnovers. The Titans had 46 of the 50 total minutes played by bench players. Madison Hargett led with five points; Mia Morey had three points and five rebounds; Maddy Lease had two points and four rebounds; Shai Skinner had one point and four rebounds.
What stood out:
11 steals: 11-0 with double-digit steals … 54 rebounds: 8-0 when recording 50 or more rebounds … 15 offensive rebounds: 16-1 with double-digit offensive rebounds … 22 assists: 9-2 with 20 or more assists.
Who stood out:
Aolani Talamaivao-Calderon: led the Titans with 16 points and 10 rebounds; her second double-doubles in the last three games … Kalina Rojas: 10 points and nine rebounds in 20 minutes … Mia Morey: six points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals in 16 minutes.
What it means:
The Titans keep pace for second place with Clackamas; two games behind first place Umpqua and one game ahead of fourth place Mt. Hood.
What's next:
The Titans (18-4, 7-2) travel to Roseburg to face first place Umpqua (22-0, 9-0) on Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 5:30 p.m.