Rippere's Big Game Leads Willamette in 91-84 Win over Whitman

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- Gavin Rippere (Salinas, CA/Salinas HS/Clark College) scored a career-high 19 points and hauled down a career-high 16 rebounds as part of an exceptional game for the senior forward, helping to propel Willamette University to a 91-84 win against Whitman College at the Sherwood Center on Saturday, Dec. 2. Jack Boydell (Grad., W, Sonoma, CA/Sonoma Valley HS) also scored 19 points, while Caleb Moore (So., G, Wadley, GA/Washington County HS/Bard College) provided 17 points to go with six assists, four rebounds, and two steals.

It was Willamette's first victory over Whitman since the Bearcats won 84-70 in Salem, Oregon, on Jan. 10, 2009. Whitman prevailed in the next 27 meetings before Saturday's game. The last time Willamette won in Walla Walla was on Feb. 1, 2008, when Willamette triumphed 78-66.

Rippere's stats line, in addition to his career-best scoring and rebounding efforts, included four assists and a steal. He was 8 for 11 on field goals. Rippere, Boydell, and Moore were joined in double figures by Ryder Hsiung (Jr., G, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School), who scored 11 points. Kahiau Bruhn (So., W, Waimanola, HI/Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama) added eight points and five rebounds. Josiah Frank (Jr., G, Turlock, CA/John H. Pitman HS) also contributed eight points.

Willamette connected on 33 of 59 field goals (55.9%) and held a 58-32 scoring margin in the paint. WU made just 3 of 11 three-pointers (27.3%), but the Bearcats scored over 80 points for the fourth time this season by shooting 62.5% inside the 3-point line (30 for 48) and by converting 22 of 30 free throws (73.3%).

"I'm thrilled for the team to get the win tonight against the defending conference champs on the road," Willamette Head Men's Basketball Coach Micheal Lenahan said. "Whitman made us earn every bit of that win. Our team has been working so hard, and our players have so much belief in each other, which allowed us to bounce back from the Whitworth game and grind out a tough win. It was awesome to see that hard work and belief be rewarded. I'm looking forward to a home game against Douglas College on Saturday."

Jander Cline topped the Blues with a game-high 25 points and led all players with four 3-pointers. He grabbed a team-high nine rebounds. Isaiah Amato scored 14 points to go with five assists and one steal. Jai Deshpande and Alex Pape each scored 11 points, while Ali Efe Isik earned 10 points and six rebounds. Grant Hunt supplied five assists and three steals.

The Bearcats held Whitman to 40.0% shooting from the field (27 of 66). The Blues hit 10 of 33 three-point attempts (30.3%) and made 20 of 25 free throws (80.0%). Willamette recorded a 37-31 rebounding margin led by Rippere's 16 boards, but also including at least three rebounds from five other Bearcats.

Most of the first half was a close battle. Willamette led 10-5 on a layup by Moore at the 16:22 mark. Later, the Bearcats were in front 14-10 on a jumper by D'Ante Dean (Jr., F, Nassau, Bahamas/British Columbia Christian Acad./Peninsula College). The Blues went on a 10-2 run for a 20-16 advantage following a traditional 3-point play by Amato with 11:25 to play in the half. Whitman also held a 25-21 lead after Cline hit a 3-point shot with 8:42 on the clock.

Willamette created the first breathing room when Boydell sank three free throws to give the Bearcats a 41-34 edge with 3:17 left. Each team added five points before halftime, leaving Willamette with a 46-39 lead.

A 7-2 run by the Bearcats at the start of the second half increased the lead to 53-41 with 17:09 remaining. Boydell scored five points during the run, including a traditional three-point play. Moore completed the run with a layup. WU held a 12-point three more times, including 64-42 at the 12:05 mark. Whitman pulled within 65-58 on two free throws by Isik with 9:59 to go. The Blues eventually reduced the margin to 69-66 on a layup and a foul shot from Cline at the 7:01 mark.

WU countered with a layup by Moore and soon regained a seven-point cushion at 75-68 on a 3-pointer from Hsiung with 5:57 left. Two free throws by Deshpande pulled the Blues as close as five points, but the Bearcats scored six points in a row for an 81-70 advantage with 4:16 remaining. After Whitman moved within five points at 83-78 with 2:04 to play, Rippere scored on a follow-shot for the Bearcat at the 1:27 mark for a seven-point lead.

The Bearcats will host Douglas College (Canada) on Saturday, Dec. 9. Game time at Cone Field House is slated for 7 p.m. PST.