Kitchin Scores 10 Points for Bearcats in Exhibition versus Portland Pilots

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Ava Kitchin (Fy., F, Redmond, OR/Redmond HS) of Willamette University scored 10 points against the University of Portland in a non-conference exhibition game for the Bearcats on Thursday, Dec. 19. The game counted for Portland, which improved to 7-4 on the season, as the Pilots defeated the Bearcats, 82-42. Portland competes in NCAA Division I and the West Coast Conference. Willamette, which competes in NCAA Division III and the Northwest Conference, remained 6-3 overall.

Kitchin was the only Bearcat in double figures. Sami Riggs (Fy., G, La Verne, CA/Boniuta HS) registered six points, while finishing 3 for 3 on field goals. Kassin Hopkins (Sr., G, Connell, WA/Connell HS/Bellevue College) and Lucy Morrill (Sr./Jr., G, Seattle, WA/Roosevelt HS) each scored five points.

Morgan Yamane (So., F, Moses Lake, WA/Moses Lake HS) earned four points and grabbed three boards for the Bearcats. Elizabeth Logsdon (Sr., McMinnvile, OR/McMinnville HS) also hauled down three rebounds.

For the Pilots, Haylee Andrews led the way with 18 points, seven assists and five steals. She was 9 of 11 on field goals. Kate Andersen supplied Portland with 15 points, four assists and four steals. Alex Fowler chipped in 11 points and was 5 for 5 from the field. Maddie Muhlheim scored 10 points.

Portland opened the game with a 4-0 run. Ashlyn Ascuena-Mercil (Fy., F, Boise, ID/Timberline HS) scored on a layup for Willamette with 8:42 left in the first quarter to pull the Bearcats within 4-2. Portland tallied the next 14 points to take an 18-2 lead at the 6:22 mark.

The Pilots outscored the Bearcats 12-8 over the remainder of the opening quarter for a 30-10 advantage as the game entered the second period. UP owned a 52-22 margin at halftime.

Portland maintained a comfortable lead throughout the second half. Willamette and Portland each scored 13 points in the fourth quarter.

Willamette shot 40.4% for the game (19 of 47), including 52.6% in the first half (10 of 19). WU connected on 3 of 13 shots from 3-point range (23.1%). The Bearcats put up a strong battle on the boards, but the Pilots finished with a slim 30-029 rebounding edge.

The Pilots shot 55.6% overall (35 of 63), after hitting 63.2% from the field in the first half (24 of 38). UP was 5 of 15 on 3-point shots.

WU will return to action with a regular season non-conference home game against Vancouver Island University from British Columbia, Canada, on Saturday, Dec. 21. Game time is set for 4 p.m. (PST) following the Willamette men's basketball game against Saint John's University (Minn.), which starts at 2 p.m.