Strong Start Sends Puget Sound Past Willamette, 80-52

By Brandon Chinn, Athletics Communications Writer

TACOMA, WASH. -- The University of Puget Sound wasted no time asserting its dominance in front ofthe home crowd, leading by as many as 28 points in the first half en route to an 80-52 win on Friday, January 17 at Memorial Fieldhouse.

Puget Sound improved its record to 10-5 (3-3 in the Northwest Conference), while Willamette dropped to 3-11 (1-4 in NWC play).

WU competed without Rebecca Josephson (Sr., G, Fair Oaks, CA/Del Campo HS), who was injured in the first minute against Linfield on Jan. 10, and Kylie Towry (Fr., G, Medford, OR/South Medford HS), who has missed six game since suffering a season-ending injury. Josephson has averaged 10.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, while Towry achieved 11.1 points per contest.

The Bearcats scored the first point of the contest on a free throw by Katie Kalugin (Jr., G, Woodburn, OR/Woodburn HS) 15 seconds after the start, but the Loggers scored the game's first field goal about two minutes later and never looked back.

Leading 2-1, UPS went on an 8-4 run to extend its lead to 10-5. The Bearcats pulled within three points twice in the next few minutes on a layup by Julia Brand (Jr., F, Kaneohe,HI/Punahou School)and a three-pointer by Kalugin.

The Loggers began to separate themselves at the 14-minute mark, sparking what resulted in a 29-4 run over the next 12 minutes to extend their lead to 42-14.

A three-pointer by Alexa Beeson (Sr., G, Portland, OR/Lincoln HS) and a jumper by Daena Mau (Jr., Aiea, HI/Punahou School) cut into the deficit, and the Bearcats entered the half trailing 45-22.

The Loggers were incredibly efficient on offense in the first half, shooting 57% from the floor (19 of 33), while Willamette converted just 8 of 29 shots (27%). UPS was also dominant on the boards, out rebounding Willamette 23-15 in the opening 20 minutes.

Puget Sound picked up where it left off in the second half right, igniting a 15-5 run in the first four minutes. The Loggers obtained their largest lead of the nightat69-33 with just over 10 minutes remaining.

Trailing 78-43, the Bearcats made some noise in the final two and a half minutes of play. Whitney Sia (Fr., G, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) made a free throw, whileArianah Musser (Jr., G, Seattle, WA/The Bush School) nailed both of her free throws and two three-pointers to bring the final score to 80-52.

Kalugin led the Bearcats with 15 points, while Mau contributed 12 points off the bench. UPS had four players finish in double figures, including Amanda Forshay and Allie Wyszynski, who scored 16 points apiece.

Willamette will return to action on Saturday, January 18 when the Bearcats travel to Lewis & Clark College. Tipoff in Portland, Ore., is set for 6 p.m. (PST).