Riggs Scores 10 Points for Bearcats in Exhibition at University of Portland

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Sami Riggs (Jr., G, La Verne, CA/Bonita HS) scored 10 points and hit 4 of 5 shots for Willamette University during an exhibition game against the University of Portland from NCAA Division I on Friday, Nov. 5 at the Chiles Center. Portland defeated the Bearcats, 79-35.

Willamette will open its regular season schedule on Monday, Nov. 8 at Cone Field House when the Bearcats host Multnomah University. Game time is set for 6 p.m. (PST).

Riggs was followed by Ava Kitchin (So., F, Redmond, OR/Redmond HS) and Ashlyn Ascuena-Mercil (Jr., F, Boise, ID/Timberline HS) on Willamett's scoring chart, as both scored eight points. Amanda Carpenter (Grad., G, Beaverton, OR/Sunset HS) added five points. Ascuena-Mercil topped the Bearcats with seven rebounds, while Carolyn Ho (So., G, Parker, CO/Ponderosa HS) provided four assists and five steals. Willamette outrebounded Portland, 33-30, including 9-8 on the offensive glass.

The Pilots were led by Alex Fowler's 17 points on 5-of-6 shooting and 7 for 8 at the charity stripe. Haylee Andrews tacked on 14 points and hit 7 of 11 field goals to go along with five assists. Maisie Burnham scored 13 points and was 6 of 7 from the field. Liana Kaitu'u supplied 11 points.

Portland scored the game's first nine points and held a 12-4 lead with 5:26 left in the first quarter. WU pulled within 16-9 when Kitchin sank 1 of 2 free throws with 4:08 on the clock. The Pilots tallied the next four points on a jumper by Maddie Muhlheim and a layup by Andrews. Portland owned a 22-13 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

During the second quarter, the Pilots took charge by outscoring the Bearcats 25-6. The hosted held a 47-19 lead at halftime. Portland gained a 20-7 scoring margin in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, the Pilots scored 12 points, while Willamatt added nine points.

Portland shot 51.5% from the field (34 of 66), but Willamette limited the Pilots to just 3 of 18 on 3-point shots (16.7%). Portland sank 8 of 11 free throws. The Bearcats hit 12 of 44 field goals (27.3%) and made 10 of 12 free throws (83.3%).

The Bearcats concluded their exhibition schedule with a 1-1 record. WU defeated crosstown rival Corban University, 56-47, in a road game on Oct. 29.