SANTA CLARA, Calif. --- Darian Slaga scored 16 points and the Pilots and Broncos played a tight game at the Leavey Center on Thursday night, but Santa Clara made enough free throws down the stretch to prevail over Portland 67-57. Maddie Muhlheim added 12 points for the Pilots. 

After a slow start to the game, the Pilots (6-20, 2-13 West Coast Conference) came storming back with the help of some early offense by Slaga, who matched the Broncos (8-18, 4-11 WCC) with nine first-quarter points. Slaga hit a three from deep and converted a traditional three-point play, while Muhlheim also buried one from behind the arc during a 12-2 run. The Pilots held Santa Clara to just two points during the final four minutes of the quarter to take a 14-8 lead. 

Muhlheim hit another three in the second to help Portland hold on to their advantage, but the Broncos eventually evened the score 22-22. Slaga then broke the tie with another three-pointer, but Santa Clara had tied the game 31-31 by the end of the half. Slaga led all scorers with 12 points at the break. 

The Broncos tried to pull away in the third period, opening a 12-point lead. The Pilots answered with eight unanswered points, courtesy three's from Kate Andersen and Muhlheim, and a lay-up from Slaga. The Pilots were within six by the end of the frame, but the Broncos again took a double-digit lead early in the fourth. 

From there the Pilots tried to cut into the deficit and had the margin down to five after Julie Spencer connected on a jumper and Muhlheim followed with three with six minutes left to play. The Broncos pushed the lead back to nine, but again the Pilots had an answer as another jumper from Spencer made the score 60-55 with 1:27 remaining. Moments later it was still a five-point game after a pair of free throws from Ashley Gray with 30 seconds showing on the clock, but the Pilots were forced to foul and the Broncos sealed the win at the foul line. 

 The Pilots (.449) out-shot the Broncos (.383) from the floor, but Santa Clara combined for nine three-pointers and went 12 of 16 at the line. Portland finished with seven three's and connected on six free throws out of 10 attempts. 

The Broncos claimed a slight 33-32 edge on the glass, and Morgan McGwire collected a double-double with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Santa Clara also took care of the ball, committing just nine turnovers, while forcing 21 Portland miscues.
 
Slaga was also Portland's top rebounder with seven boards.
 
The Pilots next travel to Moraga to try to complete the season sweep of the Saint Mary's Gaels. Saturday's tip-off at McKeon Pavilion is set for 2 p.m.