Concordia Plays Strong Defense, Defeats Bearcats, 79-47

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

PORTLAND, ORE. -- Concordia University used strong defensive play to hold Willamette University to 18.5% shooting in the first half, as the Cavaliers built a 44-15 lead on their way to a 79-47 win over the Bearcats, on Thursday, Nov. 15 at Cavalier Court.

With the win, Concordia, which competes in the NAIA, improved to 2-0 on the season. Willamette, which is a member of NCAA Division III, opened its season at 0-1.

Willamette's top scorer was Katie Kalugin (So., F, Woodburn, OR/Woodburn HS), who finished with 14 points on 6 of 14 shooting. Mackenzie Lamson (Jr., F, Portland, OR/Lincoln HS) achieved nine points and a team-high seven rebounds for the Bearcats. Lamson also recorded three steals.

Concordia was led by Gabi Beyer with 12 points, while Malori Dixon contributed 11 points. Lexi Amundsen and Kelly Huey each grabbed nine rebounds. A total of 14 players scored for the Cavaliers.

The game started with nine consecutive points for Concordia. Daena Mau (So., G, Aiea, HI/Punahou School) tallied Willamette's first points on a jumper with 16:09 left in the first half. Concordia scored the next four points for a 13-2 lead on its way to a 20-5 advantage at the 11:49 mark.

A 3-pointer by Jojo DeLong (So., G, Santa Clarita, CA/Canyon HS) pulled the Bearcats within 20-8, but Willamette was unable to build a rally.

The Cavaliers held a 26-10 lead after a jumper by McKenna Daly with 7:10 on the clock and extended their advantage to 35-13 with 3:26 left in the half following a 3-pointer by Dixon.

At halftime, Concordia was shooting 45.0% (18 of 40), while the Bearcats were 5 of 27 over the first 20 minutes. The Cavaliers also held a 29-16 rebounding margin at the break.

A 13-0 run at the start of the second half, including at least one point from seven different players, advanced CU into a 57-15 lead.

Lamson ended Willamette's scoreless streak by hitting two free throws for the Bearcats with 12:59 remaining. The two points jump started Willamette's offense, which outscored Concordia, 31-22, to end the game.

Willamette shot 29.0% from the field in the second half (9 of 31), while limiting Concordia to 30.2% (13 of 43). After sinking only 3 of 11 free throws in the first half, the Bearcats hit 13 of 15 charity shots (86.7%) over the final 20 minutes. Concordia made 5 of 5 free throws in the first half and finished the night 11 of 13 at the line (84.6%).

Concordia held a height advantage with three players at 6'2". The Cavaliers used their height to achieve a 60-38 rebounding edge. In addition to the nine-rebound efforts of Amundsen and Huey, CU also received seven boards from Randi McReynoulds and six boards from Beyer.

Lamson's six rebounds for Willamette were followed by six rebounds each from Julia Brand (So., F, Kaneohe, HI/Punahou School) and DeLong.

The Cavaliers shot 37.3% for the game (31 of 81) and hit 6 of 15 three-pointers (40.0%). Willamette was 14 of 58 from the field (24.1%) and 3 of 15 on 3-point shots (20.0%).

Willamette will play two games this weekend at the Bon Appetit Tournament at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Ore. On Saturday, Nov. 17, the Bearcats will take on Corban University at 1 p.m. (PST). On Sunday, Nov. 18, Willamette will battle the University of California-Santa Cruz, also at 1 p.m.