The Portland Pilots are gearing up for their opening round matchup against the Sam Houston Bearkats in the Women's National Invitation Tournament. This game is scheduled for Thursday, March 19, at 6 p.m. at the Chiles Center in Portland, marking the Pilots' return to the postseason for the 14th time in program history. Notably, the Pilots' previous postseason endeavors include seven NCAA Tournament appearances and four WNIT bids. Portland aims to build on last season's success, where they achieved significant wins in the WBIT.

By the Numbers
  • Portland finished last season with a program record of 31 wins and reached the WBIT quarterfinals.
  • Sam Houston is currently 18-12 this season, with an 11-7 record in Conference USA.
State of Play
  • The Pilots recently defeated Washington State 72-62 but lost to Oregon State in the WCC Championships quarterfinals.
  • Portland's defense leads the conference in blocks (5.6 per game) and steals (11.0 per game).
What's Next

If the Pilots secure a win against Sam Houston, they will advance further in the WNIT, potentially building on their recent postseason momentum. Future opponents will be determined based on the tournament's bracket structure.

Bottom Line

As they enter this important matchup, the Pilots need to capitalize on their defensive strengths and maintain their recent high performance to continue their postseason journey. The outcome against the Bearkats could significantly impact the program's trajectory this season.