LAS VEGAS, Nev. – In an entertaining and high-scoring game, the Santa Clara Broncos pulled away late for a 95-86 win over the Portland Pilots in the first round of the West Coast Conference Tournament Thursday night at the Orleans Arena.

Senior guard Ahmed Ali scored a team-high 21 points and dished out five assists, while junior forward Eddie Davis added 18 points to lead the Pilots.

Portland concludes the 2020-21 season with a 6-15 overall record, while the Broncos (11-7) survive and advance to play Pacific in Friday's second round.

Isiah Dasher also reached double figures with 12 points and Latrell Jones added 10 for Portland.

The game featured eight ties and 10 lead changes as the Pilots exploded offensively out of the gates en route to a season-high 45 points in the first half. An early 10-0 run sparked by a three from freshman Zac Triplett, putback from Hayden Curtiss and shot clock-beating triple from Ali put the Pilots up 21-13.

Davis had 16 points in the half on 5-of-6 shooting as the Pilots shot 54 percent in the period. The Broncos countered by shooting 62 percent from the floor and took a 46-45 lead into the break.

Ali put the Pilots back on top with four early points and a pair of steals to open the second half. Davis converted a three-point play to give Portland a 54-48 lead, but the Broncos took the lead back with back-to-back three-pointers from Keshawn Justice and Jalen Williams.

Santa Clara seemed to answer every Pilot rally with a big three-pointer to stay in control down the stretch. The Broncos pushed the margin to nine, but layups from Michael Henn and Dasher pulled the Pilots within 85-80 and 2:05 remaining. Santa Clara made four straight free throws and the margin never got below six the rest of the way.

Justice scored a game-high 22 points, including 5-of-8 from three-point range, while Williams added 21 for Santa Clara.

The Broncos shot 60 percent from the field on the night and knocked down 10-of-21 three-pointers. Portland finished at 54 percent and 12-of-22 from beyond the arc. Santa Clara used its size advantage for a 29-21 rebound edge and 15-6 margin in second chance points.