PORTLAND, Ore. --- The Portland Pilots led early and nearly rallied late, but the Saint Mary's Gaels held on for a 75-65 win on Thursday night at the Chiles Center. Portland sophomore Julie Spencer scored a career-high 15 points, while senior Kaylie Van Loo added 15 points and six assists.
The night started well for the Pilots (4-20, 2-11 WCC), who knocked down six of their first seven shots of the game. Two of those six field goals were three-pointers from Holly Blades, and Spencer added a pair of jumpers as Portland surged ahead 14-5.
The Gaels (15-9, 10-3 WCC) recovered to cut into the deficit, but the Pilots were able to hold on to their lead for much of the opening period, with the help of eight first-quarter points by Spencer.