Bearcats Edge Past Northwest Christian, 64-59, in Closing Minutes

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

EUGENE, ORE. -- Willamette University trailed 56-51 with 4:01 remaining, but the Bearcats rallied for a 64-59 win against Northwest Christian University on Tuesday, Nov. 25 at the Morse Event Center. WU improved to 3-2 on the season, while NCU fell to 3-2.

Jojo DeLong (Sr., PG, Santa Clarita, CA/Canyon HS) produced 18 points, five assists and two steals to lead the Bearcats. Katie Kalugin (Sr., G, Woodburn, OR/Woodburn HS) supplied a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Kylie Towry (Fr., G, Medford, OR/South Medford HS) scored eight points for Willamette.

Sami Pitts led NCU with 16 points on 6 of 11 shooting. Chandler Gabrio chipped in 14 points and five rebounds. Demarea Caples scored nine points and grabbed six boards. The Beacons outrebounded the Bearcats, 42-36.

Northwest Christian held a 12-2 lead early in the game after Gabrio hit a jump shot with 12:58 left in the half. NCU extended the margin to 15-3 on a 3-pointer by Gabrio about a minute later.

Ashley Evans (Fr., PG, Canby, OR/Canby HS) of Willamette sank a 3-pointer at the 10:11 mark to pull the Bearcats within 15-6. A layup and foul shot by Kalugin reduced the lead to 15-9 with 7:48 remaining in the half.

The Beacons regained a nine-point advantage at 19-10 following a basket by Sami Pitts with 5:56 to go, but Willamette rallied with an 11-1 run to take a one-point lead.

Willamette's run ended with a 3-pointer by DeLong with 1:30 on the clock, sending the Bearcats in front, 21-20. DeLong also hit two free throws during the run, while Whitney Anderson (Fr., G, Willamina, OR/Willamina HS) opened the run with a layup and later scored on a jumper.

Northwest Christian outscored Willamette 5-1 to finish the half and take a 25-22 lead in to the intermission. The Beacons regained the lead with two free throws by Melyssa Weber and added a 3-pointer by Chandler with 30 seconds left.

WU opened the second half by scoring the first five points on a layup by Julia Brand (Sr., F, Kaneohe, HI/Punahou School) and a 3-pointer by DeLong. Pitts answered with a 3-pointer to give NCU a 28-27 lead with 18:14 remaining. The teams remained close for the most of the second half.

The Beacons achieved a four-point lead at 41-37 after Pitts hit another 3-pointer with 13:56 to go. Willamette tied the game with baskets by Anderson and Kalugin. MeShel Rad of NCU broke the tie with a layup, but Anderson sank a 3-pointer to put WU back in front, 44-43, with 12:32 left.

Willamette and NCU were tied three more times during the next three minutes, including 48-48 at the 9:35 mark on two free throws by Kalugin. The Beacons edged in front on two free throws by Gabrio and maintained a slim lead until a 4-0 run gave them a 56-51 advantage with 4:01 left.

Two free throws from DeLong and two by Towry cut the margin to 56-55 with 2:59 remaining. Neither team scored again until Towry tacked on a 3-pointer for a 58-56 Willamette lead with 1:47 still to play.

Northwest Christian surged back in front, 59-58, when Pitts scored three points on a basket and foul shot at the 1:32 mark. DeLong put in a layup with 1:08 to go, as WU took a 60-59 lead.

Kalugin stole the ball from Pitts 17 seconds later. NCU tried to get the ball back, but eventually fouled Brand with 34 seconds on the clock. Brand hit both free throws for a 62-49 advantage.

Pitts missed a jumper for NCU with 24 seconds remaining. Towry added a free throw with 17 seconds to go, and Kalugin contributed another free throw with seven seconds left, as Willamette clinched the win.

WU shot just 20.0% (6 of 30) in the first half, but improved to 46.2% in the second half (12 of 26). The Bearcats were 5 of 26 on 3-pointers (19.2%) and hit 23 of 31 free throws (74.2%), including 15 for 20 in the second half.

Northwest Christian shot 35.1% for the game (20 of 57) and made 7 of 16 three-pointers (43.8%), but the Beacons had only 15 fee throw attempts. They converted 12 of the charity shots for 80.0%, but couldn't overcome Willamette final rally.

The Bearcats will play at home on Wednesday, Nov. 26 against Concordia University (Ore.). Game time at Cone Field House is set for 7 p.m. (PST).