Hamilton Scores 32 Points, as Bearcats Down Boxers in Overtime, 80-75

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University freshman Marisa Hamilton (So./Fr., C, Beaverton, OR/Southridge HS) scored a career-high 32 points as Willamette University defeated Pacific University, 80-75 in overtime, at Cone Field House on Saturday, Feb. 21. The game was tied 65-65 at the end of regulation.

WU finished the season with a 7-18 overall record, including 2-14 in the NWC. Pacific ended the year at 9-16 overall, 5-11 in the NWC.

Hamilton scored 13 points in the first half, added 15 in the second half, and tacked on four more in overtime. She was 12 for 20 from the field and went 6 for 8 at the free throw line. In addition, she grabbed a team-high nine rebounds.

The 32 points by Hamilton tied Kelly Sorenson for the second highest-scoring game in Willamette history, trailing only Tyan Sanderson's 35 points against Lewis & Clark College on Feb. 5, 2000. Sorenson scored 32 points against College of Notre Dame on Nov. 29, 1997 and against Eastern Oregon University on Dec. 9, 2000.

Katie Kalugin (Sr., G, Woodburn, OR/Woodburn HS) chipped in 14 points for the Bearcats, while earning eight rebounds, six assists and two steals.

Fellow seniors Jojo DeLong (PG, Santa Clarita, CA/Canyon HS) and Julia Brand (F, Kaneohe, HI/Punahou School) each scored 10 points, while Brand grabbed eight rebounds. Senior Arianah Musser (G, Seattle, WA/The Bush School) gave WU an 8-7 lead early in the game with a 3-point basket. All four seniors were honored in a ceremony prior to the game.

DeLong ended the night ranked 11th at Willamette in career scoring with 872 points. She holds the WU record for career 3-point attempts (544) and finished third with 165 career made 3-pointers. She is fourth with 338 career assists. Kalugin finished her Willamette career tied for seventh all-time with 466 career rebounds and was 12th with 814 points.

The first half featured two ties and seven lead changes, but Pacific went on a 13-5 run to take a 34-24 lead with 2:13 left. Pacific's scoring surge included six points by Olivia Cook. Willamette trailed 38-30 at the intermission.

WU cut the margin to 42-40 on a jumper by Kalugin with 13:49 left in regulation. Sarah Curl scored the next basket for Pacific, but Hamilton hit a 3-pointer and a jumper to give the Bearcats a 45-44 lead at the 11:55 mark.

Just over half-a-minute later, Hamilton rang up another 3-pointer for a 48-46 advantage, starting WU on its way to a 53-46 lead. The Bearcats owned a 61-52 margin following a jumper by Brand with 6:23 remaining, but the Boxers closed the game with a 13-4 run. Kelsey Misseldine tied the game at 65-65 on a jumper with 53 seconds left.

Willamette never trailed during in overtime. Kalugin scored the first basket at the 3:48 mark and Hamilton added a jumper 41 seconds later for a 69-65 lead. After Cook sank a jump shot for Pacific, Kylie Towry (So./Fr., G, Medford, OR/South Medford HS) swished a 3-pointer for WU, as the Bearcats took a 72-67 advantage with 1:43 to go.

Kaila Johnson of Pacific made two free throws with 1:30 on the clock to cut the lead to three points. Hamilton scored her final basket with 1:02 left, and the Bearcats converted 6 of 8 free throws in the final minute to secure the win.

Willamette hit 44.3% of its field goals (31 of 70), including 16 of 32 in the second half and 4 for 6 in overtime. The Bearcats were 6 of 16 on 3-pointers (37.5%) and made 12 of 18 free throws.

Cook paced the Boxers with 16 points, 12 rebounds and three assists. Johnson achieved 15 points, five boards and four assists, while Curl finished with 13 points and five boards. Misseldine tallied 11 points and grabbed five rebounds.

The Boxers shot 45.2% from the field (33 of 73) and connected on 4 of 11 three-pointers. Pacific was 5 for 8 at the free throw line.

Both teams maintained quality possession for most of the game, as Pacific had only five turnovers and Willamette lost the ball just six times. WU outrebounded the Boxers, 43-40.