PORTLAND, Ore. --- Portland senior forward Julie Spencer scored a game-high 21 points and junior guard Kate Andersen recorded her first career double-double as the Pilots pulled away from the Air Force Falcons on Tuesday night to claim a 79-60 win at the Chiles Center. Andersen scored 10 points and matched a career-best with 10 rebounds.
 
Five players scored in double digits for Portland (8-3) as the Pilots again featured a balanced scoring attack. Senior Darian Slaga finished with 16 points, sophomore Maddie Muhlheim added 12, and freshman Haylee Andrews chipped in with 11.
 
Most of Portland's damage came in the second half when they out-scored the Falcons (4-6) 42-27 after the break. The Pilots also improved their shooting as the game went on, connecting on 53 percent of the shots in their third and fourth quarters combined.
 
After Air Force briefly tied the game early in the third, Slaga knocked down a jumper and Spencer hit a three as the Pilots quickly surged ahead by five. By the end of the period the lead was up to nine points, which was helped by a Slaga lay-in that made the score 55-46.
 
In the fourth, Portland's advantage grew to 21 points as they used a lengthy 17-2 run to take control of the game. Andrews opened the final frame with a jumper, Spencer and Slaga would soon follow with three-pointers, and Andrews connected again with a bucket to hand the home team a 72-51 advantage with 4:18 left to play.
 
The Falcons wouldn't get closer than 19 points the rest of the way as the Pilots finish the non-conference portion of the schedule with the program's best start since the 2010-11 season.
 
Emily Conroe was the only Air Force player to score in double figures, finishing with 10 points. The Pilots held the Falcons to 36 percent shooting.
 
The first half was close throughout as neither team was able to gain much of advantage. Portland led 18-13 after the opening quarter, and they took a slim 37-33 edge into the halftime locker room.
 
The Pilots next take a break for the holiday before opening play in the West Coast Conference on the road when they travel to Malibu, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 29 to face the Pepperdine Waves. Tip-off at Firestone Fieldhouse is set for 2 p.m.