Colorado College Edges Willamette, 67-65, in Closing Seconds

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

LAS VEGAS, NEV. -- Colorado College slipped past Willamette University, 67-65, at the D3hoops.com Classic on Tuesday, Dec. 30, as Ryan Kell scored on a layup and hit a foul shot with six seconds remaining. The win improved the Tigers to 5-5 on the season, while the Bearcats fell to 2-7. The game was played at South Point Arena.

Willamette led 64-58 with 1:19 remaining, but Colorado College rallied for the win. A pair of 3-point baskets contributed to the comeback before Kell provided the game's final points.

Colorado College's rally started with a 3-pointer by Eric Houska with 1:09 left that reduced Willamette's lead to 64-61. The Bearcats committed a turnover with 42 seconds on the clock, but Kell missed a 3-pointer with 29 seconds to go.

Kyle McNally (Sr., F, Salem, OR/Sprague HS) of WU grabbed the rebound and was fouled with 25 seconds left. McNally missed the first free throw, but hit the second to give the Bearcats a 65-61 advantage. Juwan Rohan of CC hit a 3-pointer with 18 seconds remaining, as the Tigers pulled within 65-64.

The Bearcats lost the ball on a turnover with 11 seconds left, and Kell put through a layup with six seconds on the clock. He was fouled on the play and converted the free throw, as CC took a 67-65 lead. Brendon McCullough (Fr., G, San Antonio, TX/Home Schooled) of Willamette missed a 3-point shot with one second to go.

McCullough led all players with a career-high 22 points on 6 of 10 shooting, including 3 of 5 on 3-pointers. He went 7 for 9 at the free throw line, and finished with three rebounds, three assists and four steals.

McNally scored a career-high 15 points for the Bearcats and hit 6 of 9 field goals. He topped both teams with eight rebounds and three blocked shots. Bridger Harlington (Jr., Wing, Lake Tapps, WA/Auburn Riverside HS) earned 13 points, including a trio of 3-point baskets.

Luke Winfield was the leading scorer for the Tigers with 12 points. He also led Colorado College with six rebounds. Kell finished with nine points, while Chris Lesnansky scored eight points. Houska provided CC with seven points, four rebounds, five assists and two steals.

Willamette connected on 21 of 53 field goals (39.6%) and made 9 of 27 three-pointers. Colorado College was 23 of 52 from the field (44.2%), including 6 of 13 on 3-point shots (46.2%). Both teams struggled at the free throw line, as Willamette converted 14 of 24 attempts (58.3%) and the Tigers went 15 for 27 (55.6%).

The Bearcats claimed a 38-33 rebounding edge. WU committed 20 turnovers, while CC lost the ball 15 times. Willamette achieved nine steals.

Colorado College held a 13-4 lead after Winfield made a 3-point shot with 16:44 left in the opening half. WU cut the margin to 15-11 after Conin Oishi (Fr., G, Lake Forest Park, WA/Shorecrest HS) put in a layup with 13:20 left. A 3-pointer by Harlington at the 11:43 mark pulled the Bearcats within 17-14.

The Tigers answered with a 5-0 run for a 22-14 advantage after Mitch Carter scored on a tip-in as the clock reached 8:31. The Bearcats rallied an took a 27-26 lead on a 3-pointer by Harlington with 2:45 remaining in the half.

WU also led 29-28 after Harlington hit a layup 28 seconds later. Colorado College ended the half with a 6-1 run to claim a 34-30 halftime margin.

The Bearcats pulled within 39-38 on a layup by McNally with 16:06 left in the game, and the Bearcats took a 44-42 lead on a 3-pointer by Hayden Russell (So., G, Woodland, CA/Da Vinci HS) with 14:29 on the clock.

A 7-0 run by Colorado College gave the Tigers a 49-44 edge with 12:17 to go. The Tigers were in front 53-49 after Kell sank two free throws at the 9:28 mark.

Willamette used a 13-0 run of its own to take a 62-53 advantage with 2:51 left in the game. McCullough scored the first eight points of the run on two 3-pointers and 3-for-4 shooting at the free throw line. McNally added a dunk with 3:36 remaining and tacked on two free throws a bit later for the final two points.

Colorado College limited the Bearcats to only three points the rest of the way, as the Tigers rallied with a 14-3 run.

Willamette will play at home on Friday, Jan. 2 against Whitworth University, as both teams open Northwest Conference play. Game time at Cone Field House is scheduled for 8 p.m. (PST). The Bearcats will host Whitman College on Saturday, Jan. 3, with tipoff at 6 p.m.