PORTLAND, Ore. --- Portland had three players score at least 20 points and the game remained close until the end, but the Saint Mary's Gaels held on for a 98-91 win on Saturday afternoon at the Chiles Center. Julie Spencer scored 23 points to lead the Pilots, Darian Slaga added 21 points, and Maddie Muhlheim provided 20 points off the bench.
 
The second half began with the Gaels (8-5, 1-2 WCC) nursing a three-point lead after Sydney Raggio converted a lay-up. Moments later, the game was tied after Muhlheim buried a three-pointer. From there the Gaels tried to pull away, but the Pilots responded every time. Julie Spencer hit a lay-up to make it a two-point game, and Muhlheim followed minutes later with another three to cut the deficit down to just one.
 
Saint Mary's would then take a five-point edge into the fourth, but Spencer opened the final frame by connecting again from down low. Muhlheim then answered a Saint Mary's three with one from deep, but the Gaels were able to push their advantage to double figures.
 
Down 13, the Pilots went on a quick 9-2 run to pull within 88-82 with 2:59 left, and the margin was still only six after Spencer knocked down a step-back three.
 
But that's as close as the Pilots would get as the Gaels hit enough free throws down the stretch to claim the win.
 
Spencer shot 10-for-19 from the floor, and she finished with three three-pointers. Slaga did most her damage in the first half and third quarter, and she also buried a trio of three's. The 20 points are a career-high for Muhlheim, who shot 6-for-10 overall, and hit four from beyond the three-point arc.
 
Haylee Andrews also scored in double digits for Portland (8-7, 0-4 WCC), collecting 14 points.
 
Megan McKay led five Gaels in double figures with 18 points, and Saint Mary's shot a blistering 56 percent for the game. The Gaels also made 14 three-pointers.
 
The first half was tightly contested, and the Pilots scored a season-high 26 points in the first quarter to surge ahead. The Gaels closed the deficit in the second period to take a slight 44-43 edge into the locker room at the break.
 
The game featured two ties and 12 lead changes.
 
Next for the Pilots is a road trip to Spokane, Wash., where they'll play the No. 17 Gonzaga Bulldogs on Saturday, Jan. 12. Tip-off at the McCarthey Athletic Center is set for 2 p.m.