Riggs Leads Bearcats in Friday Night Setback at University of Redlands

By Charlie McGuire, Athletics Communications Assistant

REDLANDS, Calif. – The Willamette University women's basketball team continued to battle to the final buzzer, but fell at the University of Redlands, 65-50, in the first round of the Bulldog-Panther Classic on Friday night, Nov. 19. The Bearcats slipped to 2-2 overall while Redlands improved to 2-0 on the season.

The teams traded baskets in the early minutes before Hannah Jerrier knocked down a 3-pointer to put the hosts in front 11-5. Carolyn Ho (So., G, Parker, CO/Ponderosa HS) answered with a triple on the other end with an assist from Amanda Carpenter (Grad, G, Beaverton, OR/Sunset HS). Redlands closed out the quarter with a 9-2 run to hold a 20-10 advantage at the end of the period.

The Bulldogs opened the second quarter with three straight field goals before Ashley Collins (So., P, Chino Hills, CA/Chino Hills) scored back-to-back buckets and Carpenter dished out another assist, feeding Morgan Yamane (Sr., F, Moses Lake, WA/Moses Lake) to make the score 26-16 with 5:42 remaining in the half.

Redlands outscored the Bearcats 15-13 in the second period to hold a 35-23 lead at halftime. Collins led a balanced Willamette attack with four points while Carpenter hit a 3-pointer and handed out four assists before the break.

The Bearcats held a 19-17 advantage in rebounds and scored 13 points off the bench in the first half. The Bulldogs doubled up the visitors in turnovers, forcing 12 while committing just six, while recording 10 steals. Willamette was solid from beyond the arc in the first half, shooting 60 percent from long range by hitting 3 of 5 attempts.

Willamette scored the first two field goals to start the second half and outscored the Bulldogs, 15-10, in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 45-38.

Redlands put together a 5-0 run to start the fourth quarter and stretched the lead to 60-44 at the midpoint of the period. The Bearcats kept pace down the stretch but were unable to cut into margin, with the Bulldogs holding on for a 65-50 decision.

Sami Riggs (Jr., G, La Verne, Calif./Bonita HS) led Willamette with 10 points and four rebounds, while going 4 for 4 from the free throw line. Collins tallied eight points and four rebounds while CarolAnn Edwards (Spokane, WA/University HS) finished with five points and six rebounds. Carpenter matched a game-high with six assists to go along with five points and three rebounds.

The Bearcats went 8-for-10 from the free throw line and combined for 16 assists on the night. Willamette returns to action on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 20, facing Chapman University at 3:00 p.m. (PST) in the second round of the Bulldog-Panther Classic.