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. Saint Mary's then ended the stanza on a quick 7-1 run to jump in front, and the Gaels outscored the Pilots 19-7 in the second quarter to take a 45-26 lead into the locker room at half.
 
Portland tightened up defense in the second half and outscored the visitors from Moraga 20-16 in the third quarter to inch closer. Van Loo helped spark the attempted comeback when she buried a corner three-pointer to make it a 12-point game.
 
The Gaels' lead was soon back up to 18 in the fourth, but the Pilots refused to go away, and when Hannah Mattson drained a three-pointer with 4:45 remaining, Portland was within 14. Van Loo then made it an 11-point game with a jumper, and Kate Andersen pulled the Pilots within single digits with a tough lay-up with 22 seconds showing on the clock.
 
But time would soon run out as the Gaels claimed the 10-point win.
 
Saint Mary's cooled off to shoot 45.6 percent from the field, hit six three-pointers and went 17 of 22 on free throws. The Pilots combined to shoot 41.7 percent, knocked down five three's and shot 10-for-14 from the foul line. The Gaels also out-rebounded the Pilots 39-27, but Portland had fewer turnovers.
 
Spencer sets a new career-high in points after scoring a previous career-best 14 points four times this season. Ashley Gray chipped in 11 points, while Mattson handed out a career-high six assists.
 
Stella Beck led three Gaels to score in double figures with a game-high 18 points.
 
The Pilots remain home on Saturday to host the Loyola Marymount Lions, with tip-off scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Chiles Center.