Whitman Builds Large Halftime Lead, Downs Bearcats, 82-59

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- The Whitman College Blues took a 47-25 lead into the halftime break on their way to defeating Willamette University, 82-59, in a Northwest Conference women's basketball game on Friday, Jan. 25 at Cone Field House. Maegen Martin topped Whitman's offense with 19 points, while Makana Stone provided a double-double with 10 points and 14 boards.

Whitman advanced its record to 14-4 overall, 8-1 in the NWC. The Blues, who fell out of the D3hoop.com Top 25 Poll following a loss last week, received the most points in the poll among unranked teams this week. Willamette fell to 7-11 on the season, 2-7 in the NWC.

Martin and Stone were two of four Blues in double figures. Mady Burdett scored 14 points, while Taylor Chambers finished with 12 points and a game-high six assists. Kaelan Shamseldin earned nine points. Kaylie McCracken provided seven boards.

Amanda Carpenter (So., G, Beaverton, OR/Sunset HS) put through 6 of 11 shots and led the Bearcats with 18 points. She was 5 for 5 at the free throw line. Kassin Hopkins (Jr., Connell, WA/Connell HS/Bellevue College) chipped in 15 points, hit a trio of 3-point baskets, and grabbed five boards. Elizabeth Logsdon (Jr., F, McMinnville, OR/McMinnville HS) accumulated 12 points and seven rebounds.

Britanny Kochenderfer (Sr., G, Klamath Falls, OR/Henley HS/Idaho State Univ.) scored seven points and hauled down seven boards for the Bearcats. She also blocked two shots. Drew Farmer (Jr., PG, Brookings, OR/Brookings-Harbor HS) led WU with five assists.

For the game, Whitman shot 46.2% from the field (30 of 65), while Willamette shot 38.3% (23 of 60). The Blues made 10 of 20 three-point attempts (50.0%) and sank 12 of 13 free throws (92.3%) Willamette was 6 fo 19 from 3-point range (31.6%) and converted 7 of 8 free throws (87.5%).

There were just sixteen turnovers, with Willamette losing the ball nine times and Whitman committing seven miscues. Stone's 14 rebounds helped the Blues gain a 43-29 rebounding edge.

Willamette matched Whitman early in the game, as the teams were tied three times in the opening 4:20. The third tie was at 10-10 following a layup by Carpenter. Whitman regained the lead on a 3-pointer by Burdett, and the Bearcats pulled within 13-12 on a fast-break layup by Carpenter with 3:38 left in the quarter.

The Blues tallied the next seven points on a jumper by Chambers, a trifecta from Chambers, and a two free throws by McCracken for a 20-12 edge at the 1:17 mark. Whitman ended the first quarter with a 23-15 lead.

A 3-pointer by Hopkins with 7:46 remaining in the first half cut Whitman's lead to 25-20. The Blues answered with a 7-0 run that ended with a 3-pointer by McCracken for a 32-20 lead with 5:11 on the clock. Hopkins added another 3-pointer for WU, before Whitman completed the half with a 15-2 run.

Whitman increased its lead to 57-30 with 6:57 left in the third quarter following a 3-pointer by Shamseldin. Willamette responded with a 19-6 offensive surge to reduce the margin to 14 points at 63-49 entering the final quarter. Willamette's run included seven points from Carpenter, including a traditional three-point play. It also featured one 3-point baskets each by Kochenderfer and Hopkins.

The Bearcats got as close as 66-54 on a layup by Hopkins with 6:20 to go. The Blues scored the next 10 points to take charge with 3:07 on the clock and a 76-54 lead. Martin began the run with a layup and provided six of the 10 points overall.

At halftime, Willamette honored the women's cross country team, which won the 2018 Northwest Conference title last fall. WU also honored men's cross country runners Keith Carlson (Sr., Bainbridge Island, WA/Bainbridge HS) and Michael Montague (Jr., San Diego, CA/Canyon Crest Academy), who ran at the 2018 NCAA Division III Championships.

Willamette will remain at home on Saturday, Jan. 26 to take on Whitworth University. Game time at Cone Field House is set for 4 p.m. (PST).

Big Moment of the Game for Willamette

Kassin Hopkins sank a layup to pull Willamette within 66-54
with 6:20 left in the game. Hopkins scored 15 points overall,
including nine points in the second half. She led the Bearcats
with three 3-point baskets. She also contributed five rebounds,
two assists and a blocked shot.