Brandon Leads Occidental Past Willamette, 64-49

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

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. -- Makenzie Brandon achieved a double-double with 25 points and 11 rebounds to lead Occidental College to a 64-49 victory over Willamette University on Monday, Dec. 19 at Rush Gymnasium. Occidental upped its record to 4-1, while Willamette dropped to 1-9.

The Tigers held Willamette to just 28.4% shooting for the game (19 of 67). Occidental shot 40.0% (24 of 60) on field goals and earned a 46-32 rebounding edge.

Brandon also contributed three assists and three steals for the Tigers, but led all players with 10 turnovers. Occidental lost the ball 29 times, while WU committed 22 turnovers.

Katelyn Rowe added 11 points for Occidental, while earning seven rebounds and blocking four shots. Elizabeth Messick tallied five points and hauled down 11 boards. Brittni Walker achieved eight points, 10 rebounds and two steals

Willamette was led by Rebecca Josephson (So., Wing, Fair Oaks, CA/Del Campo HS), who scored 11 points and grabbed four rebounds. She also blocked two shots and recorded two steals.

Kaileigh Westermann (Sr., F, Belfair, WA/South Kitsap HS) provided WU with 10 points, while matching Josephson with four boards, two blocks and two steals. Daena Mau (Fr., Wing, Aiea, HI/Punahou School) and Katelyn Nordlien (Fr., Wing, Salem, OR/North Salem HS) each scored six points.

It was the fourth game the Bearcats have played without the team's top scorer, Mackenzie Lamson (So., Wing, Portland, OR/Lincoln HS). Lamson, who is averaging 12.3 points per game, is recovering from a leg injury.

The game was tied 15-15 with 10:05 left in the first half after Josephson and Nordlien hit back-to-back jump shots for Willamette. Occidental surged out to a 24-17 advantage at the 5:33 mark following a 9-2 run.

WU cut the lead to 28-23 on a layup by Julia Brand (Fr., Wing, Kaneohe, HI/Punahou School) with 2:11 on the clock. The Tigers scored the final four points of the half on baskets by Rowe and Brandon to claim a 32-23 halftime lead.

The Bearcats tallied the first four points of the second half to pull within 32-27, but Willamette was unable to get closer. Occidental pushed the margin to 10 points, 43-33, on a 3-pointer by Stephanie Scamman with 10:27 remaining.

Occidental's lead slipped to seven points on three occasions, including 52-45 after Mau sank a 3-pointer for WU at the 5:44 mark. The Tigers responded to Mau's trifecta by scoring the next five points to take a 57-45 advantage with 3:35 to go.

During the game, Willamette earned 12 steals and blocked four shots by the Tigers. Occidental blocked seven shots and earned seven steals.

The Bearcats will conclude their three-game trip to California on Wednesday, Dec. 21 when they take on Chapman College. Game time in Orange, Calif., is set for 2 p.m. (PST).