Western Oregon Places Three Players in Double Figures, Defeats Bearcats

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

MONMOUTH, ORE. -- Western Oregon University led Willamette University by a slim 22-20 margin with 6:57 remaining in the first half of their opening round match-up at the Capital City Classic on Friday, Nov. 29, but the Wolves ended the half with a 17-6 run. WOU led 39-26 at halftime and continued to extend its lead for a 71-46 victory over the Bearcats.

The Wolves were led by Dana Goularte, who hit 8 of 13 field goals to score 16 points. She also earned five rebounds, four assists and two steals. Jordan Mottershaw tacked on 15 points for WOU, while Chantel Divilbiss recorded 13 points. Divilbiss was 5 of 7 from the field, including 3 of 5 on 3-pointers.

WOU moved to 1-3 on the season, while the Bearcats fell to 1-4.

Julia Brand (Jr., F, Kaneohe, HI/Punahou School) topped Willamette with nine points and also contributed four rebounds. Alexa Beeson (Sr., G, Portland, OR/Lincoln HS) and Daena Mau (Jr., G, Aiea, HI/Punahou School) scored eight points apiece. Mau was 3 of 5 on field goals, while Beeson hit 3 of 6 shots.

Kylie Towry (Fr., G, Medford, OR/South Medford HS) hauled down a team-high seven rebounds. Katie Kalugin (Jr., G, Woodburn, OR/Woodburn HS) grabbed six rebounds and scored six points.

Alex Wert (Fr., F, Spokane, WA/St. George's School) scored the games first basket for Willamette and the Bearcats held a 4-2 lead after Kalugin put through a layup with 17:54 remaining in the half.

The Wolves tied the score at 4-4 before a free throw by Kalugin gave WU a one-point lead. Western Oregon tallied the next four points, but Beeson hit a 3-pointer for an 8-8 tie at the 15:34 mark.

WOU went in front 16-10 and also led 22-16 after a 3-pointer by Divilbiss with 8:08 on the clock. Willamette responded with two layups by Brand to cut the lead to 22-20.

Divilbiss hit a 3-pointer 11 seconds after Brands second layup to start a 9-0 run by the Wolves for a 31-20 advantage. Goularte completed the run with back-to-back baskets.

WU got as close as nine points, but the Wolves expanded the lead to 39-24 with 31 seconds left in the half following a jumper by Jackie Steiger. The Bearcats scored the final points of the half on a layup by Brand with four seconds to go.

The Wolves led 44-29 with 16:38 left in the game and then went on a 7-0 run. Goularte recorded the first four points of the run, while Goddard added a basket and a foul shot. WOU held a 51-29 margin.

Willamette countered with a 7-0 run of its own to pull within 51-36. Jojo DeLong (Jr., G, Santa Clarita, CA/Canyon HS) opened the run with a layup. Towry scored on a 3-pointer and Brand tacked on two free throws.

The Bearcats never got closer. Western Oregon used a 10-5 surge to take a 20-point lead at 61-41. The lead reached 65-42 with 5:59 to go.

Western Oregon shot 46.3% (31 of 67) during the game, but connected on only 3 of 14 3-pointers (21.4%). The Wolves were 6 of 8 at the free throw line. WOU achieved a 36-28 rebounding edge.

Willamette made 34.1% of its shots (15 of 44). WU shot 43.5% in the first half (10 of 23), but made just 5 of 21 field goals (23.8%) in the second half. For the game, WU was 4 of 13 on 3-pointers (30.8%) and 12 of 22 at the line (54.5%).

In the other first round game at the Capital City Classic on Friday, California Maritime Academy edged out Corban University 63-59 in overtime.

The Bearcats will take on Corban in the consolation game on Saturday (Nov. 30) at 12 p.m. (PST). Western Oregon will play California Maritime in the championship game at 2 p.m. on Saturday.