PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland CC survived a scare from Highline tonight at home, defeating the T-Birds 82-70.

The visiting Thunderbirds used a 12-1 run midway through the second half to take a 63-62 lead and were looking to steal a road win. Jaxson Spafford responded with a corner three pointer that sparked a 12-1 run by Portland that set things right for the home team. 

The Panthers held the advantage for most of the game, leading 41-33 at halftime and by 10 (61-51) with 11:16 left in the second half. That's when Highline made their run and gave the home crowd something to worry about.

Spafford, Jackson Leach, and Luke Jessup made some clutch plays when Portland needed them, and Bas Corion was a difference maker protecting the rim and grabbing key rebounds.

Leach led the team with 21 points and seven assists. Spafford and Jessup ended with 18 and 16 points respectively.