Lewis & Clark Rallies in Second Half to Down Bearcats, 54-49

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

PORTLAND, ORE. -- Lewis & Clark College trailed by 12 points at halftime, but the Pioneers rallied in the second half to defeat Willamette University, 54-49, in a Northwest Conference game on Saturday, Jan. 17. L&C improved to 8-7 on the season, 2-4 in the NWC. The Bearcats fell to 1-11 overall, 0-6 in the NWC.

Kimberly Kittell topped Lewis & Clark with 18 points. Margaret Dowling added 12 points and game-high 19 rebounds, while Tallera Rich scored 10 points and earned eight boards for the Pioneers.

Jenny Fillion (Sr., G, Silverton, OR/Silverton HS/Linn-Benton CC) was WU's top scorer with 16 points on 8 of 13 shooting. Molly Fillion (Sr., G, Silverton, OR/Silverton HS/Linn-Benton CC) supplied 11 points and eight rebounds for the 'Cats. Alex Zennan (So., G/PG, Sammamish, WA/Eastlake HS) scored eight points and hauled down seven boards.

Willamette surged out to a 15-6 lead, as Jenny Fillion scored six of WU's first 11 points. Later in the first half, the Bearcats took a 24-13 lead on a jumper by Jenny Fillion with 6:15 on the clock.

The 'Cats owned a 32-20 advantage at the intermission. Jenny Fillion had 12 points at halftime, while Molly Fillion had seven points. Lewis & Clark shot just 20.0% (5 of 25) during the first 20 minutes.

Lewis & Clark powered its way out of halftime, as the Pioneers scored the first eight points on their way to an 18-2 run. L&C led 38-34 with 11:07 remaining in the game.

WU rallied and eventually tied the game at 47-47 on a 3-pointer by Zennan with 3:30 left. Kelly Vega hit one of two free throws for L&C with 2:54 on the clock, as the Pios moved in front.

The 'Cats fell behind by four points, 51-47, when Kimberly Kittell tacked on a 3-pointer for Lewis & Clark at the 2:18 mark. Willamette cut the margin to two points on a layup by Nicki Clowdsley (So., Post, Sammamish, WA/Skyline HS) with 1:15 to go.

Willamette had a chance to take the lead with just under 40 seconds left, but a 3-pointer from the left elbow by Erin Barclay (So., PG, Snohomish, WA/Bothell HS) rimmed out. L&C made 3 of 4 free throws in the final 32 seconds.