PORTLAND, Ore. --- Portland senior Darian Slaga knocked down five three-pointers and scored 23 points, but the Portland State Vikings held on after a fast start to claim a 92-79 win on Saturday afternoon at Viking Pavilion. Julie Spencer added 16 points for the Pilots, and Josie Matz and Maddie Muhlheim also scored in double digits chipping in 13 and 12, respectively.
 
Portland State (5-0) remains perfect on the year with the win, while the Pilots drop to 5-2.
 
The Pilots opened the game cold from the field as the Vikings scored the first 11 points. Slaga tried to keep the Pilots within reach with consecutive three-pointers, and Liana Kaitu'u capped a quick Portland run with a traditional three-point play. Slaga would add a lay-up before the quarter was over, but Portland State led by double digits.
 
The Vikings extended their lead to begin the second period, but three's from Muhlheim and Matz cut into the deficit. A three-pointer by Matz, her second of the frame, pulled Portland within nine, and a fast break lay-up by Haylee Andrews made it a 33-28 game with 5:20 left in the half. Moments later Matz and Slaga continued Portland's run with free throws, and the Pilots held the Vikings scoreless for nearly four minutes. Slaga then completed the comeback by burying another three to cap a 19-2 outburst that put the Pilots in front for the first time.
 
Portland State recovered to take a 45-41 lead into the locker room at half, and Slaga led the Pilots with 16 points during the opening 20 minutes. PSU's Sidney Rielly had 25 points at the break.
 
The Vikings' lead would grow to open the second half, but the Pilots answered, and when Muhlheim drilled a deep three-pointer Portland was within four points. A few minutes later Matz hit a three and Spencer added a mid-range jumper, but the Vikings took a 67-59 edge into the fourth.
 
After the Pilots momentarily climbed within six after Slaga connected on a jumper, the Vikings pushed their lead back to double digits, with the help of a corner three from Kylie Jimenez and a fast break lay-up by Rielly. Slaga ended the run with another three-pointer, her fifth of the game, with about five minutes remaining, and a late three-point play by Spencer cut the margin down to eight, but the Viks would hold on for the home win.
 
The five three-pointers are a career-high for Slaga, who has scored in double digits every game this season. Spencer just missed a double-double with nine rebounds.
 
Rielly finished with 32 points to lead all scorers, and Ashley Bolston registered a triple-double with 19 points, 10 boards, and 12 assists. She also made nine steals, just missing a quadruple-double.
 
The Pilots next return to The Bluff to host Warner Pacific on Friday at the Chiles Center, with tip-off set for 7 p.m.