PORTLAND, Ore. - The University of Idaho women's basketball team fell to the University of Portland, 83-56, Tuesday night at the Chiles Center in Portland, Ore.

With the loss Idaho drops to 0-1 on the season and the Pilots improve to 2-0.

"We played better in the second half, that is a good positive note," coach Mike Divilbiss said. "Portland has a game or two under their belt and that showed. We had some good looks in the first half they just didn't fall."

"I am a little surprised I thought we would be better than we were tonight," Divilbiss said. "Portland is a much improved team from last season. We need to get better rebounding offensively and our post defense has to improve. We have a lot to learn, we are starting at a clean slate right now and we have the right kids, the right team to do that with."

Liz Witte had a good night for the Vandals as she had a game-high tying 19 points. Kendra Morris also had 19 for the Pilots.

"Liz had some good looks that just didn't go in," Divilbiss said. "It took her some time to get her feet under her. She played really well for her first Division I game."

Witte converted 7-16 field goals including 3-10 from behind the arc. Witte also pulled in three rebounds in 32 minutes of play.

True freshman Katie Madison had 12 points for the Vandals in her first official game at Idaho. Madison also collected a game-high tying seven rebounds. Jessica Summers also had seven rebounds in the game.

"Katie gave us an inside presence we needed," Divilbiss said. "She scrapped and she played hard, there are still some things she needs to learn, but she will learn those in time."

Portland opened the game on a 28-6 run and never looked back holding the Vandals to 24 percent field goal shooting in the first half on the way to a 40-18 halftime lead.

Idaho returns to the court in their home opener when they face Sacramento State, Sunday at 2 p.m. in Memorial Gym.