Whitman, Ranked #3 in NCAA Division III, Downs Bearcats in Walla Walla

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

WALLA WALLA, WASH. -- Nationally ranked Whitman College defeated Willamette University, 78-33, on Saturday, Feb. 1 at the Sherwood Athletic Center to remain undefeated. Heather Johns scored 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds to help Whitman improve to 19-0 on the season, 10-0 in the Northwest Conference.

The Missionaries are ranked #3 in the D3hoops.com Top 25 and are tied for #4 in the USA Today Sports Division III Top 25 Coaches Poll. They lead the NWC standings by one game over George Fox University (9-1).

Johns was joined in double figures by three other Whitman players.

Tiffani Traver finished with 13 points, while hitting 5 of 7 field goals, including 3 of 5 three-pointers. Hailey McDonald also made 5 of 7 field goals on her way to scoring 11 points. Sarah Anderegg chipped in 10 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Katie Kalugin (Jr., G, Woodburn, OR/Woodburn HS) registered a double-double for Willamette, as she scored 11 points and hauled down 10 rebounds.

Alexa Beeson (Sr., G, Portland, OR/Lincoln HS) contributed eight points for the Bearcats. Jojo DeLong (Jr., G, Santa Clarita, CA/Canyon HS) achieved five points and grabbed seven boards.

The Bearcats fell to 3-16 overall, including 1-9 in the NWC.

Johns scored five points early in the game on two field goals and a free throw, as Whitman built a 7-2 lead. DeLong answered with a 3-point basket to cut the margin to 7-5 with 15:24 left in the half.

Several minutes later, at the 11:03 mark, Kalugin hit a jump shot to pull the Bearcats within 13-10. Whitman put in the next 11 points, as the Missionaries surged out to a 24-10 lead with 2:46 remaining in the half. Julia Brand (Jr., F, Kaneohe, HI/Punahou School) ended a 9:13 drought for the Bearcats when she sank two free throws with 1:50 on the clock.

McDonald added a 3-pointer and a layup for Whitman to give the Missionaries a 29-12 halftime lead.

The Missionaries opened the second half with 15 consecutive points and gradually increased their advantage to the final margin. Whitman shot 53.0% for the game (35 of 66) and 66.7% in the second half (22 of 33). The Missionaries made 4 of 11 three-pointers (36.4%) and just 4 of 10 free throws, but held a 42-28 rebounding margin and committed just six turnovers.

Willamette connected on 29.0% of its shots (9 of 43) and made 2 of 17 three-point attempts. The Bearcats converted 13 of 16 free throws (81.3%).

The Bearcats have played the first three games in a string of five games on the road. Willamette will complete the road trip with games at Pacific University on Tuesday, Feb. 4 and at Linfield College on Saturday, Feb. 8. Each game is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. (PST).

Earlier this season, WU defeated Pacific, 65-62, and lost to Linfield, 60-58, with both games played at Cone Field House on the Willamette campus.