PORTLAND, Ore. --- Portland sophomore Josie Matz scored 15 points in the fourth quarter and the Pilots erased a late eight-point deficit to overcome the Utah State Aggies 61-54 on Wednesday night at the Chiles Center. Matz's outburst allowed her to finish with a career-best 19 points overall.
 
The Aggies took a 42-34 lead to begin the fourth, but the Pilots chipped away at the deficit, with a three-point play from Matz sparking the comeback. Moments later Matz converted consecutive lay-ups, and Julie Spencer followed with a lay-in on a feed from Matz to level the score 47-47.
 
After a Utah State miss, Matz drained a clutch three with three minutes remaining to give Portland their first lead since early in the third quarter. An Aggie field goal allowed the visitors to remain within reach, but Matz found Darian Slaga in the corner, and she buried a three-pointer from deep to keep the Pilots on top.
 
Utah State did make it a one possession game in the closing minute with a three-pointer from Olivia West, but free throws from Matz and Slaga, as well as an offensive foul on the Aggies, sealed the win for Portland.
 
The Pilots improve to 5-1 on the year, which is Portland's best record after six games since the 2001-02 season. Utah State falls to 2-5.
 
Matz finished seven of 10 from the field en route to her career-high in points. Spencer scored 16, and Slaga finished with 12. Slaga, a senior guard, has scored in double figures every game this season. Freshman guard Haylee Andrews was Portland's top rebounder, corralling a career-high 10 boards.
 
Shannon Dufficy recorded a double-double for the Aggies with 19 points and 14 rebounds.  

Slaga scored eight points in the first quarter, including a three-pointer that gave the Pilots an 11-9 edge about four minutes into the game. Maddie Muhlheim added a pair of three's as the game remained close, but the Aggies responded with an 8-0 run to surge in front. The Pilots then ended the quarter with a fast break lay-up from Matz that just did beat the buzzer to pull Portland within 22-16.  

Utah State opened the second quarter with a bucket before the Pilots scored nine straight points to climb on top. Spencer was responsible for all nine points, which she capped with a put-back after gathering an offensive board that gave the Pilots a one-point lead. The Aggies recovered, and Utah State would claim a slight 30-29 advantage at the break. 

The Aggies extended their lead to begin the third frame, and an 8-0 spurt allowed Utah State to open a 38-31 cushion. A Spencer three-pointer ended the run, but both teams struggled a bit offensively as they'd go to the final quarter with the Aggies nursing a 40-34 lead. 

Next for the Pilots is a short trip downtown for a game against crosstown rival Portland State on Saturday. Tip-off for the Pilots and Vikings is set for 2 p.m. at Viking Pavilion.