Bearcats move on to NWC championship
Kellen Sande with 26 points and 8 rebounds
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
38 | 42 | 80 |
|
|
34 | 41 | 75 |
Team Stats
Puget Sound
| Game Statistics | Willamette | Puget Sound |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goals | (26-59) | (28-70) |
| Field Goal % | 44.1% | 40.0% |
| Rebounds | 37 | 43 |
| Assists | 8 | 17 |
| Turnovers | 12 | 14 |
| Pts off Turnovers | 19 | 11 |
| 2nd Chance Pts | 8 | 11 |
| Pts in the Paint | 30 | 34 |
| Fastbreak Pts | 18 | 5 |
| Bench Pts | 5 | 22 |
SPOKANE, Wash. — Willamette (16-10, 10-6 NWC) secured a narrow 80-75 victory over Puget Sound (17-9, 12-4 NWC) in a neutral-site matchup at Whitworth Fieldhouse. The Bearcats capitalized on 23-of-27 free-throw shooting and forced 14 turnovers, contributing to 19 points off turnovers. Despite Puget Sound's 43 rebounds and 17 assists, the Bearcats maintained a slim lead throughout the second half to clinch the win.
Willamette capitalized on strong defense and efficient free throw shooting to secure a 38-34 lead over Puget Sound at the end of the first half. The Bearcats outscored the opponent 10-5 in points off turnovers and converted nine of 12 free throws, helping maintain their edge despite Puget Sound's four blocks and seven assists. Kellen Sande led the charge with a key stretch in the paint, contributing to the Bearcats' 16 points in that area.
In the second half, the Bearcats secured a narrow lead over Puget Sound, fueled by a 14-for-15 performance from the free-throw line. Their defense made a significant impact with five steals, converting several into fast-break points, including a critical layup by Davis Hester at 7:13. Despite committing seven turnovers, the Bearcats capitalized on their defensive rebounds, outpacing Puget Sound 18-7 in fast-break points. At the end of the half, the Bearcats led Puget Sound 80-75.