PORTLAND, Ore. --- Portland's Julie Spencer scored a career-high 26 points and Darian Slaga finished with 24 as the Pilots pulled away from the Cal State Fullerton Titans to claim an 83-74 win on Saturday afternoon at the Chiles Center. Spencer also collected 11 rebounds to register her third double-double of the season.
 
Spencer, who entered the game second in the West Coast Conference in rebounds, hit a career-best five three-pointers as the Pilots combined for 12 threes overall. Slaga had a trio of triples, as did Maddie Muhlheim, who chipped in with 13 points.
 
The win allows the Pilots, who were playing their first regular season contest at home, to improve to 4-1 on the year, which is the best start to a season since 2010-11. Cal State Fullerton falls to 2-4. 
 
The Titans were hot early, shooting better than 60 percent in the first quarter as they tried to surge ahead. Spencer and Slaga kept the Pilots close, as the duo combined for 16 points during the opening 10 minutes. Spencer hit a three-pointer and converted a traditional three-point play, and Slaga drilled one from deep that pulled Portland within one. But at the other end, a nice driving lay-up by Lauren Nubla allowed Cal State Fullerton to claim a 23-20 edge after the first period.
 
Spencer opened the second quarter with another three-pointer, but the Titans continued to provide a response as they held on to their lead. Moments later it was Spencer again connecting from beyond the arc, and Slaga followed with lay-up and a free throw to put the Pilots in front 29-28. Portland's run would extend to 11-0, with the help of an elbow jumper from Spencer and lay-in by Slaga, and soon the Pilots enjoyed a six-point lead.
 
The Pilots' advantage would stretch to 43-35 by the end of the half as Slaga had 18 points and Spencer had 14.
 
Portland extended their lead in the third quarter, which was fueled by five straight points by Lisa Kaempf. Slaga then hit a lay-up after corralling an offensive rebound, and Liana Kaitu'u followed with a stellar move down the lane to give Portland its largest lead to that point, 54-38. The quarter would end with Portland on top 61-43 as Spencer hit her fourth three of the afternoon.
 
The Titans cut into the deficit as they began the fourth period with five unanswered points, but Muhlheim buried back-to-back three-pointers, and Spencer hit another one from deep to allow Portland to preserve their double-digit advantage. Cal State Fullerton tried to mount a late comeback, but the Pilots prevailed.
 
 Portland freshman Haylee Andrews had another solid all-around game, finishing with eight points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Portland has a team had 12 assists on 33 field goals, and the Pilots out-rebounded the Titans 46-42.
 
Hannah Thompson, who had five of the Titans' 11 three-pointers, lead Cal State Fullerton with 18 points.
 
The Pilots play five of their next six games at home, including on Wednesday night when they host Utah State at the Chiles Center. Tip-off for the Pilots and Aggies is set for 7 p.m.