Four Bearcats Reach Double Figures in 71-64 Win over Northwestern (Minn.)

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Willamette University placed four starters in double figures and the Bearcats rallied from a seven-point halftime deficit to earn a 71-64 victory over University of Northwestern (Minn.) on Saturday, Nov. 29 in the third place game at the Colorado College Thanksgiving Invitational.

WU improved to 2-4 on the season. The Eagles dropped to 1-5.

Northwestern owned a 41-34 lead at the end of the first half, primarily on the strength of 9-for-16 accuracy from 3-point range. In the second half, Willamette held the Eagles without a 3-point basket, as UNW went 0 for 7 from behind the arc. The Bearcats limited the Eagles to 23 points during the final 20 minutes.

In the first half, Northwestern's 3-point shooting helped the Eagles connect on 14 of 25 shots overall (56.0%). The Eagles hit just 9 of 23 field goals in the second half (36.0%). Northwestern was 9 for 13 at the line (69.2%).

Meanwhile, Willamette improved from 33.3% field goal shooting in the first half (12 of 26) to 50.0% in the second half (12 of 24). The Bearcats sank 10 of 13 free throws during the final period to finish a solid 17 of 22 (77.3%) at the line.

Brandon Luedtke (Jr., F, Meridian, ID/Mt. View HS) registered his fourth double-double of the season for WU. He scored 17 points, and provided 12 rebounds, six steals and two assists. Brendon McCullough (Fr., G, San Antonio, TX/Home Schooled) matched Luedtke with 17 points and was 9 for 10 on free throws.

Also reaching double figures for the Bearcats were Nico Troplent (Fr., Wing, Los Angeles, CA/Cathedral HS) and Bridger Harlington (Jr., Wing, Lake Tapps, WA/Auburn Riverside HS). Troplent scored 15 points, secured five rebounds and earned three assists. Harlington scored 12 points on 4 of 8 field goals, including 3 of 6 on 3-pointers.

Kyle McNally (Sr., F, Salem, OR/Sprague HS), who also started for Willamette, scored five points, contributed 10 rebounds and blocked three shots.

Michael Carney topped UNW with 16 points. Caleb Janson tacked on 12 points and hauled down a game-high 17 boards. Jansen also earned four steals. Austin Stubbs chipped in 11 points and earned five assists for the Eagles.

The game was tied 2-2, but WU took a 7-2 lead on a 3-pointer by Troplent with 17:41 left in the half. The Eagles eventually tied the game at 9-9 on a 3-pointer by Carney. Overall, the first half featured four ties and nine lead changes.

Despite Northwestern's 3-point success during the half, the Bearcats led 29-25 following a 3-pointer by Harlington with 7:11 remaining. The Eagles put up the next five points for a 30-29 advantage.

After WU added a basket and foul shot by Luedtke for a 32-20 lead at the 4:53 mark, Northwestern went on an 11-2 run to end the half. The run started with two 3-pointers by Porter Morrell and also included a 3-pointer from Carney.

Harlington scored on a 3-pointer and a layup early in the second half, as WU pulled within 41-39. Willamette also cut the margin to two points, 45-43, on a dunk by McNally at the 14:35 mark. WU tied the score at 47-47 on a jumper by McNally with 12:25 remaining.

The Eagles held a 53-49 lead after a dunk by Kyle Ooms with 8:23 left. Willamette answered with a layup by Luedtke and a 3-pointer from Troplent for its first lead of the second half, 54-53, with 7:21 to go.

A layup by Cody Sprenger put Northwestern in front, but Luedtke scored on a layup with 5:43 remaining to give Willamette the lead for good, 56-55. Luedtke's basket opened a 7-0 run for a 61-55 advantage with 4:24 on the clock.

The Eagles reduced the lead to three-points twice, including 63-60 after a layup by Janson with 1:53 remaining. Troplent put in a layup 12 seconds later and Hayden Russell (So., G, Woodland, Ca/Da Vinci HS) added a 3-pointer with 43 seconds remaining, as WU extended the lead to 68-60.

Willamette forced Northwestern into 17 turnovers during the game. The Bearcats turned the miscues into 23 points, while the Eagles scored just four points off Willamette's 11 turnovers. WU also earned a 34-22 advantage in points scored in the paint and a 10-2 edge in fast-break points.

University of Dubuque (Iowa) defeated host Colorado College, 77-68, in the championship game. Gage Heffernan of Dubuque was named Most Valuable Player. Luedtke of Willamette was named to the All-Tournament Team, along with Carney of Northwestern, Andre Norris of Dubuque and Eric Houska from Colorado College.

The Bearcats will not return to action until Tuesday, Dec. 16, when they will travel to Portland to take on Concordia University (Ore.). Game time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. (PST).