DeLong Scores 18 Points, but Lutes Edge Bearcats in Two Overtimes, 67-63

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

PARKLAND, WASH. -- Pacific Lutheran University edged out Willamette University 67-63 in two overtimes on Saturday, Jan. 17 by outscoring the Bearcats 8-4 in the second overtime period. Lacey Nicholson clinched the win for the Lutes by hitting two free throws with 10 seconds left for the final points of the game.

Willamette's record moved to 5-10 on the season, 0-6 in the Northwest Conference. PLU advanced its record to 4-10 overall and to 1-4 in the NWC.

Jojo DeLong (Sr., PG, Santa Clarita, CA/Canyon HS) of Willamette led all scorers with 18 points. Katie Kalugin (Sr., G, Woodburn, OR/Woodburn HS) tacked on 13 points for the Bearcats, while Marisa Hamilton (So./Fr., Beaverton, OR/Southridge HS) and Kelsey Walker (Fr., Westerville, OH/Westerville North HS) each added 10.

Jori Hall and Taylor Flemming each provided PLU with 17 points. Bailey Raines finished with eight points for the Lutes.

Willamette scored four more field goals than the Lutes (24-20) and had one more 3-pointer (5-4), but Pacific Lutheran took 19 more free throws than the Bearcats. The Lutes converted 23 of 34 shots at the free throw line, while Willamette went 10 for 15. PLU entered the game averaging 24.9 free throw attempts per night.

The Bearcats trailed 26-20 at halftime, but rallied to lead by as many as five points in the second half.

Megan Abdo of Pacific Lutheran scored the first basket after the halftime break. Willamette countered with a 12-4 run to tie the game at 32-32. The Bearcats held a 40-36 advantage after Kalugin scored, was fouled and hit a free throw with 12:08 left.

Later, a layup by Hamilton and a jumper by DeLong on back-to-back possessions gave the Bearcats a 44-39 lead withy 10:20 remaining in regulation. Willamette owned a five-point lead three more times, including 53-48 following a jump shot by Julia Brand (Sr., F, Kaneohe, HI/Punahou School) at the 5:36 mark.

Pacific Lutheran registered the final five points of regulation, ultimately tying the game 53-53 when Flemming hit 1 fo 2 free throws with 3:12 left. Neither team scored again until the first overtime, although PLU missed three shots and Willamette missed two in the final 1:22.

DeLong sank two free throws for Willamette just over a minute into the first overtime for a 55-53 advantage. Hall tied the score with a jumper at the 3:44 mark, but Brand made 1 of 2 free throws for WU 27 seconds later.

Abdo tacked on two free throws for PLU with 1:22 remaining in the overtime, as the Lutes took a 57-56 lead. DeLong answered with a 3-point basket with 51 seconds on the clock, returning Willamette to the lead at 59-57. Flemming tied the game and forced the second overtime by connecting on two free throws with 35 seconds left.

Hall was fouled just 11 seconds into the second overtime period. She converted both charity shots for the Lutes. Hall added a layup with 3:50 to go, increasing Pacific Lutheran's lead to 63-59.

The Bearcats cut the margin to two points twice -- 63-61 on two free throws by Ashley Evans (Fr., PG, Canby, OR/Canby HS) with 2:06 left and 65-63 on a layup by DeLong with 1:32 remaining. In between, Madison Green-Hayward made two free throws for PLU.

PLU missed two shots on its next possession after DeLong's layup, but the Lutes grabbed both rebounds. Following the second rebound, the Lutes ran 16 seconds off the clock. Raines was fouled with 25 seconds left and missed both free throws. Walker rebounded for WU with the Bearcats still trailing 65-63.

With 12 seconds on the clock, DeLong's pass from the lane out to top of the key was stolen by Nicholson, who was fouled with 10 seconds to go. She made both free throws.

The Lutes achieved a 51-46 rebounding margin, as Nicholson led all players with 13 boards. Abdo grabbed seven and Green-Hayward earned six. Brand topped the Bearcats with nine rebounds, while Kalugin grabbed eight boards.

WU committed just eight turnovers during the game, while forcing PLU into 16 miscues. The Bearcats registered eight steals, including two each for Evans and Kylie Towry (So./Fr., G, Medford, OR/South Medford HS).

The Bearcats will play at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore., on Friday, Jan. 23. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m. (PST).