Watts Scores 15 Points as Willamette Loses to Pilots in Exhibition for Bearcats

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Jonathan Watts (So., W, San Diego, CA/Rancho Bernardo HS) of Willamette University scored 15 points -- all in the first half -- as the Bearcats from NCAA Division III took on the University of Portland from NCAA Division I on Tuesday, Nov. 5 at the Chiles Center. The Pilots won, 86-36, in a contest that was an exhibition game for Willamette, but counted as the regular season opener for Portland (1-0).

Watts led all players in scoring. Malcolm Porter and Jacob Tryon each tallied 13 points for the Pilots. Isaiah White scored 11 points for Portland, while JoJo Walker finished with 10 points. Justus Eaglesmith (Jr., G, Sparks NV/Spanish Springs HS) earned seven points for the Bearcats. Teammate Cade Whicker (Fy., F, Fruit Heights, UT/Davis HS) added six points.

Willamette battled with the Pilots on the glass, as Portland claimed a slim 45-44 rebounding edge. Ben Sutton (Jr., F, Seattle, WA/Ingraham HS) of WU topped all players with 10 boards. Will Huntington (Jr., P, Oakland, CA/Bishop O'Dowd HS) registered six boards -- all on defense -- for the Bearcats. Tahirou Diabate led the Pilots with seven boards, while Quincy Ferebee followed with six rebounds. Chase Adams supplied U of P with seven assists and four steals.

Portland limited the Bearcats to 19.7% field goal shooting (13 of 66), including 15.2% on 3-pointers (5 of 33). On offense, Portland shot 49.2% from the field (32 of 65) and hit 10 of 26 three-point shots (38.5%). The Pilots committed just 10 turnovers and forced the Bearcats into 21 turnovers.

The first points of the game were scored for Portland by JoJo Walker on a 3-pointer with 19:22 left in the first half. Watts responded with a 3-pointer for the Bearcats just under a minute later to tie the score 3-3 at the 18:29 mark.

A string of 17 consecutive points for the Pilots, including seven points by Porter, created a 20-3 lead. Willamette did not score again until Watts made his second 3-pointer of the game with 11:50 on the clock. The Pilots built a 49-16 advantage at halftime.

Willamette will open the regular season by hosting Montclair State University (N.J.) on Saturday, Nov. 9. Game time at Cone Field House is set for 3 p.m. (PST). Before taking on the Bearcats, Montclair State will battle Whitman College at Cone Field House on Friday, Nov. 8 at 3 p.m.