Imai's Shot at the Buzzer Sends Bearcats Over Western Oregon 89-86

Monmouth, Ore. - Willamette used a strong third-quarter and last-second shot by Kaitlin Imai to take down the Wolves of Western Oregon 89-86 in a non-conference road contest. Alexis Dockter led the Bearcats in scoring with 21, including twelve points in the third.  

The first quarter was tight as the teams traded baskets over the opening minutes.  The Wolves pulled ahead by five two times and a jump shot by Natalie Brown sent them to the quarter break up 22-16.  Western Oregon extended the lead to nine midway through the second quarter until Willamette stormed back and pulled within one, 38-37, on a Dockter three-point jumper.  The Wolves scored the final six points of the quarter and went to halftime leading 44-37.

Western Oregon scored the first four points of the second half to pull ahead by eleven before Willamette began to make their run.  Elyse Waldal scored six of the team's next eight points to keep things close and another Dockter three tied the game at 52 with 3:19 left in the quarter.  A three from Emma Floyd and another by Dockter in the final minute put Willamette up 66-59 as they headed to the final quarter.

A Kaitlin Imai jump shot gave the Bearcats a nine-point lead early in the fourth and they would hold the lead the entire quarter until the Wolves tied the score at 86 with just 24 seconds remaining.  Willamette moved the ball around looking for the winning shot and when a mid-range jumper from Imai fell short, Waldal saved the ball from going out of bounds and into the hands of Imai beyond the arc.  She got the shot off just before the final buzzer and it fell through the net to give the Bearcats the victory. Willamette shot 53% (19-36) from the field and 59% (10-17) from three in the second half to pull out the victory.

Dockter led four players in double figures, followed by Imai with 20, Emma Floyd with 18, and Elyse Waldal with 13.  Imai led Willamette in rebounds with eight and Peyton Gardner dished out six assists to lead the team.  

The next game for the Bearcats is Saturday, November 23rd, at 6:00 pm when they return to Cone Fieldhouse to take on Multnomah University.