Bearcats Rely on Defense and Balanced Scoring in 61-29 Win over Pioneers

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- A strong defensive effort and balanced scoring were the keys to Willamette University's 61-29 win against Lewis & Clark College in Northwest Conference women's basketball action on Wednesday, Jan. 26. The Bearcats limited the Pioneers to 21.3% shooting (10 of 47) during the game at Cone Field House, including just 2 of 16 (12.5%) from 3-point range. Meanwhile, the Bearcats received six or more points from six players, as Ava Kitchin (So., F, Redmond, OR/Redmond HS) and Amanda Carpenter (Grad., G, Beaverton, OR/Sunset HS) led the way with 11 points each.

Willamette improved to 9-7 overall, 4-3 in the NWC. Lewis & Clark dropped to 8-9 on the season, 3-5 in the NWC.

"I am really proud of the team and how we bounced back from Saturday night (a loss at Pacific University)," Willamette Head Coach Peg Swadener commented. "We talked a lot about energy and playing together as a team, and we showed up ready to play today. Our effort on defense created some great transition opportunities, and our balanced scoring shows how well we shared the ball tonight."

Overall, the Bearcats received three or more points from 10 players. Kitchin, in addition to scoring 11 points grabbed a team-high five rebounds. Carpenter supplemented her 11-point effort with four rebounds. Carolyn Ho (So., G, Parker, CO/Ponderosa HS) contributed seven points, six assists, and five steals. Megan River (So., G, Tumwater, WA/A.G. West Black Hills HS), CarolAnn Edwards (So., F, Spokane, WA/University HS), and Ashley Collins (So., P, Chino Hills, CA/Chino Hills HS) earned six points apiece. River and Sami Riggs (Jr., G, La Verne, CA/Bonita HS) each provided three assists.

Willamette shot 44.4% overall (24 of 54), including 63.6% (7 of 11) in the fourth quarter. The Bearcats were 4 of 15 on 3-pointers and 9 for 13 (69.2%) at the free throw line. WU finished with a 37-34 rebounding edge as seven Bearcats hauled down at least three rebounds apiece. Kitchin's five boards were followed by four each from Carpenter, Morgan Yamane (Sr., F, Moses Lake, WA/Moses Lake HS), Ashlyn Ascuena-Mercil (Jr., F, Boise, ID/Timberline HS), and Claire Bonnet (Jr., G, Boise, ID/Boise HS).

Delsie Johnson topped Lewis & Clark with nine points. She also earned six rebounds and three steals. Charlotte Carroll grabbed seven rebounds for the Pioneers. Karli Mukai scored five points, while Eva Richards finished with four points and five boards.

The Bearcats limited L&C to just three points in the fourth quarter, and held the Pioneers to seven points in the first quarter, 11 points in the second quarter, and eight points in the third period. The Bearcats earned double-digit scoring totals in all four quarters, including a high of 20 points in the second quarter.

WU led 5-2 after Kitchin scored on a layup and Carpenter tacked on a 3-pointer with 7:12 left in the first quarter. The Pioneers tied the score at 5-5 on a 3-pointer by Mukai, and L&C held a 7-5 edge after Carroll added a jump shot at the 5:21 mark. Willamette countered with a 9-0 run to end the quarter. Four Bearcats contributed to the run, which featured a 3-pointer by Bonnet. The Bearcats added a 3-pointer from Carpenter and a hook shot by Kitchin early in the second quarter to grab a 19-7 lead.

Later, Edwards put through a layup to give Willamette a 25-11 advantage with 5:34 remaining in the half. Delsie Johnson of L&C hit 1 of 2 free throws as the clock reached 4:17 and added a layup with 3:35 to go, reducing WU's margin to 25-11. The Bearcats closed out the half with a 9-4 run for a 34-18 lead at the intermission.

The Pioneers moved within 14 points twice early in the third quarter, but the Bearcats went on an 11-0 run to extend the difference to 25 points at 47-22 with 1:43 on the clock. Five Bearcats produced points during the offensive surge, including a 3-pointer by Carpenter. WU led 47-26 entering the fourth quarter.

Willamette outscored L&C 14-3 in the final period, including six points by Collins. The only points scored by the Pioneers during the quarter were a free throw by Carroll and a jump shot by Laurel Marchant.

The Bearcats held a 34-10 scoring margin in the paint. Willamette also earned 11 steals and forced the Pioneers into 23 turnovers, which led to 26 points.

Willamette plays again on Friday, Jan. 28 in a road game at Whitworth University. Game time in Spokane, Washington, is set for 6 p.m. (PST).