Corban Defeats Willamette, 70-61

By Sara Brooks, Assistant Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6219

SALEM, ORE. -- Katie Steigleman scored 22 points and earned five steals to lead Corban College past Willamette University, 70-61, in a non-conference women's basketball game at Cone Field House on Tuesday, Dec. 8. Alex Zennan (Jr., G, Sammamish, WA/Eastlake HS) of Willamette also scored 22 points, while recording six rebounds and six assists.

The Bearcats captured their first lead of the game, 10-8, with 13:23 remaining in the first half when Maya McFaddin (So., G, McMinnville, OR/McMinnville HS) netted back-to-back free throws. McFaddin ended the game with twelve points and two steals. She was a perfect 2-2 from the three point line. McFaddin's twelve points were a career high for the sophomore.

Willamette led by four points, their biggest lead of the game, at the 12:59 mark. Sophie Wilson (Fr., G, Port Townsend, WA/Port Townsend HS) hit two free throws to put the Bearcats ahead 12-8. WU held a two-point lead at halftime, 32-30.

The first three minutes of the second half were owned by the Warriors as they scored eight straight points to take a 38-32 lead. The Bearcats were never able to rebound from Corban's early run and trailed for the remainder of the game.

A combination of full-court pressure and aggressive offense enabled the Bearcats to pull within three points with just over four minutes to play. A three-point shot by Erin Barclay (Jr, PG, Snohomish, WA/Bothell HS) made the score 59-56. The three-point deficit was as close as Willamette would get.

For the game, the Bearcats shot 39.6% from the field (21 of 53), 40% from the three point line and 81.3% from the free throw line. Corban shot 38.5% from the field (25 of 65), 20% from the three-point line and 75% from the free throw stripe. Despite outshooting the Warriors, Willamette gave up significant opportunities to score due to turnovers and second chance points by Corban.

Willamette committed 29 turnovers and was outrebounded 40-36. The Warriors pulled down 14 offensive rebounds. In the second half, Corban scored ten second chance points and Willamette had zero.

In addition to Steigleman's 22 points, Jennesa Miller scored 17 points and Emily Tsugawa added 11 points for Corban. Miller also pulled down 10 rebounds.

Kaileigh Westermann (So., P, Belfair, WA/South Kitsap HS) added eight points, nine rebounds and four steals for WU. Barclay was solid at the point guard position for Willamette, accumulating five points, five assists and four steals.

Corban improved to 3-8 with the win. Willamette dropped to 2-5 on the season. The Bearcats travel to Warner Pacific College on Friday, Dec. 11. Warner Pacific is currently 4-5 on the season. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m. (PST).