PORTLAND, Ore. --- A pair of Portland sophomores had stellar nights as Darian Slaga poured in 23 points and Julie Spencer collected a career-best 18 rebounds, but the Pacific Tigers opened the West Coast Conference with an 84-74 win over the Pilots on Thursday night at the Chiles Center. The 18 rebounds for Spencer are the most by a Pilot since Amy Pupa had 19 in a game in 2013.
 
The Tigers (5-7, 1-0 WCC) jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter, but the Pilots (2-10, 0-1 WCC) responded with a lengthy 21-5 run that extended into the second period and tied the game. Kate Andersen provided an offensive spark off the bench during the run, and the freshman buried a half-court three-pointer to beat the first quarter buzzer and pull the hosts within two points.
 
Early in the second, a pair of Andersen free throws momentarily tied the game. The Tigers then reclaimed the lead, but Portland senior Kaylie Van Loo tied the score at 28-28 moments later with a traditional three-point play.
 
The game would remain close from there, but Pacific took a 45-37 lead into the locker room at half. Slaga led all scorers at the break with 12 points.
 
Pacific built a double-digit lead in the third period, but Slaga's offensive onslaught continued, and she pulled the Pilots with nine with 3:10 left in the third. But the Tigers responded and pushed their lead to 17, their largest advantage of the game.
 
Portland again pulled within nine points in the final frame, courtesy a three-pointer from Hannah Mattson with about six minutes showing on the clock. The Portland deficit was still only eight points when Holly Blades drained a three-pointer with 44 seconds remaining, but the Tigers would hold on.
 
Seven of Spencer's rebounds came on the offensive end, and her work on the glass helped the Pilots out-rebound the Tigers 41-38.
 
Andersen finished with a career-high 10 points, and Van Loo matched a season high with 15 points, while dishing seven assists.
 
Pacific shot 50 percent from the field, while holding the Pilots to 34.9 percent shooting. The Tigers also connected on 11 three-pointers and made 21 from the free throw line. Portland was 24-for-38 from the charity stripe during the foul-plagued game.
 
Desire Finnie led four Tigers in double digit scoring with 17 points.
 
Next up is a quick turn-around for the Pilots, who now head to Malibu, Calif., to face the Pepperdine Waves on Saturday. Tip-off at Firestone Fieldhouse for the WCC contest is set for 1 p.m.