Corban Defeats Willamette, 63-54

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Kailey Bostwick and Emily Goette each scored 13 points to lead Corban College to a 63-54 victory over visiting Willamette University on Tuesday, Nov. 27 at the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center. Corban improved to 2-3 overall. The Bearcats fell to 2-3 despite a double-double from Molly Fillion (Jr., G, Silverton, OR/Silverton HS/Linn-Benton CC), who scored 24 points and hauled down 19 rebounds.

The Warriors won the battle of cross-town rivals by holding Willamette to 27.0% shooting (17 of 63). Corban connected on 41.8% of its field goal attempts (23 of 55).

Corban scored the game's first five points and led 11-5 after a jumper by Jessica Steigleman with 15:37 left in the opening half. Willamette trailed by as many as seven points, 15-8, before rallying to tie the game at 19-19 on a pair of free throws by Nicki Clowdsley (So., C, Sammamish, WA/Skyline HS) with 8:35 remaining in the half.

WU moved in front 21-19 when Jenny Fillion (Jr., G, Silverton, OR/Silverton HS/Linn-Benton CC) hit two free throws at the 7:59 mark. Neither team led by more than three points during the duration of the half until Kailey Bostwick of Corban tossed up an 11-foot shot with about one second remaining to give the Warriors a 36-31 halftime advantage.

The game was tied at 44-44 before Corban went on an 8-0 run to take a 52-44 lead. Emily Goette scored four points during the run. Corban remained in the lead the rest of the way, but held just a five-point margin, 59-54, after Tracie Nygaard (Sr., F, Knappa, OR/Knappa HS) hit one of two free throws with 55 seconds remaining. Corban converted 4 of 4 free throws in the final 31 seconds to seal the win.

Molly Fillion was the only Bearcat in double figures. Nygaard scored nine points and grabbed six rebounds. Jenny Fillion contributed seven points and five rebounds. The 'Cats made just 4 of 19 three-pointers (21.2%), but hit 16 of 21 free throws (76.2%).

Fillion's 24 points were the most she has scored in her five games since transferring from Linn-Benton CC. It also was her third game with 20 or more points. She is averaging 17.2 points and 13.4 rebounds per game.

Bostwick and Goette led four Warriors with double-digit scoring. Steigleman and Margie Lou Correll tacked on 11 points apiece. Goette topped Corban with eight rebounds, while Steigleman, Correll and Ashley Connell each registered seven rebounds.

Both teams had turnover troubles. The Warriors lost the ball 23 times and Willamette committed 22 turnovers. On the boards, the Bearcats achieved a 45-42 rebounding margin.

Willamette will compete at the Westminster College Tournament in Salt Lake City, Utah, this weekend. On Thursday, Nov. 29, the Bearcats will take on Montana-Western at 3 p.m. (PST). On Friday, Nov. 30, WU will face Westminster College at 5 p.m. (PST).