Cassandra Brown made history as the Portland Pilots ambushed the Portland State Vikings 91-63 just before Christmas.

There was, however, no flashing numbers on the Jumbotron or high-fiving and hugs from her NCAA Division 1 basketball teammates.

“Actually nobody knew I hit 1,000 (points) during the game so there was no big celebration,” Brown told The Morning Star. “My teammates all congratulated me when they found out.”

The 22-year-old Fulton Maroon grad surpassed 1,000 career points by draining 19 in the first half at the Chiles Center. The 6-foot-2, 155-pound Pilots’ senior forward finished with 26 points versus the Vikings and became the 23rd player in program history to hit 1,000.

Brown, a communications major, is the second Pilot to hit the milestone this season, joining senior Kari Luttinen of Seattle.

The Pilots faced the likes of Cal Poly, Boise State, Washington and Oregon State and Boise State in the exhibition season.

“Our preseason schedule was very tough, full of national-ranked teams, so it has been really competitive,” said Brown. “We also have a new coaching staff and a new offence this year so we are still learning and trying to find our groove.

“Individually I have been doing really well. I am leading the teams in points (16.9 a game) and rebounds so I am just trying to be a consistent threat on the floor this year.”

Brown took a medical red-shirt in 2012-13 to have surgery to repair a depressed sternum in her heart. She feels awesome and has high aspirations in her final university season. Brown led the Pilots with a 14.1-per-game mark last year, draining 50 treys, the ninth most in school history.

“I definitely have high expectations on me this year but I don’t really look at it as pressure. I know what I am capable of on the floor and I just try to be consistent. I want to do whatever it takes for our team to win. This is my last year so I’m not going out without a fight.

“It’s crazy that five years has flown by and this is my last season. It’s bittersweet. But I’m excited to start a new chapter and play overseas next year. I’m going to get an agent after the season and will probably make a decision by the summer time.”

The Brigham Young Cougars of Provo, Utah used a game-ending 10-0 run for an 83-79 comeback win over the Pilots in league play Monday night in Portland.

Luttinen, with 22 points, Brown, with 21, and Jasmine Wooton of California, with 18 points and nine assists, were Portland’s main offensive threats.

Brown flushed 23 points and Thompson finished with 16 points and 11 boards for Portland’s (2-11, 0-2 WCC) first double-double of the year, but the San Diego Toreros shot 74 per cent in the second half to claim an 87-65 win over the Pilots in West Coast Conference opening play Saturday night at the Chiles Center.

It’s the sixth time Brown has scored at least 20 points. She was a perfect 9-for-9 from the foul line and connected on two three-pointers.

Wooton overcame foul trouble to finish with 12 points for Portland. The senior guard now has 925 career points and is poised to join Brown and Luttinen in the 1,000 career point club.