Corban Builds 17-Point Halftime Lead in 74-60 Win over Willamette

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

PORTLAND, ORE. -- Corban University built a 42-25 halftime lead and the Warriors went on to claim a 74-60 victory over Willamette University in the first round of the Bon Appetit Tournament at Lewis & Clark College on Saturday, Nov. 17. Corban improved to 2-3 on the season, while Willamette fell to 0-2.

In the other first round game, host Lewis & Clark defeated the University of California-Santa Cruz, 76-58. The tournament will conclude on Sunday, Nov. 18, when Willamette will play UC-Santa Cruz at 1 p.m. (PST) and L&C will battle Corban at 3 p.m. Both games will be held at L&C.

The Warriors surged out to a 14-4 lead over the first six minutes, including four baskets by Tara Van Weerdhuizen. Jo Johnston (Fr., C, Missoula, MT/Florence-Carlton HS) registered the next basket for Willamette on a jumper, but Corban answered with an 8-0 run for a 22-6 advantage at the 11:05 mark.

Corban held a 28-8 margin following a basket by Alison Evans with 8:25 remaining in the half. WU reduced the lead to 12 points, 32-20, on the strength of a 12-4 run. Willamette's run included a basket and foul shot by Ali Babij (Fr., F, Ontario, OR/Ontario HS) plus a trio of 3-pointers by Sophie Wilson (Sr., G, Port Townsend, WA/Port Townsend HS).

Ten of the next 12 points went to Corban, as the Warriors rebuilt their lead to 20 points at 42-22. The Bearcats completed the scoring in the first half on a 3-pointer by Mackenzie Lamson (Jr., F, Portland, OR/Lincoln HS) with 29 seconds left.

In the second half, the Warriors maintained the lead, but couldn't add very much to their margin. The Warriors held their largest lead, 60-38, on an jumper by Tess Bennett with 11:21 on the clock.

The Bearcats reduced the margin to 15 points with a 7-0 run. Corban then tallied eight of the next 10 points -- ending with three unanswered baskets by Jade Lowery -- for a 68-47 advantage. Willamette outscored the Warriors by a 13-6 margin the rest of the way.

Corban was led by Van Weerdhuizen and Lowery, as both players finished with 18 points. Van Weerdhuizen also grabbed eight rebounds and five blocks, while connecting on 9 of 16 field goals.

Lowery went 8 of 14 from the field. She also contributed four steals and two assists. Emily Tsugawa and Julia Hand each supplied the Warriors with nine points and five rebounds.

Lamson topped the Willamette scoring chart with 18 points while hitting 8 of 15 field goals. She also hauled down seven rebounds and led the Bearcats with two blocked shots.

Wilson also reached double figures, finishing with 16 points. She was 5 of 11 on field goals, including 4 of 6 on 3-point shots. Babij ended the game with seven points and eight rebounds.

The Warriors shot 45.5% on field goals (15 of 33) during the second half, after making 18 of 36 attempts (50.0%) in the first half. Willamette hit only 37.0% of its shots in the opening half, but improved to 51.9% (14-27) over the final 20 minutes.

Corban gained a 41-31 rebounding margin. The Warriors committed 15 turnovers, while forcing Willamette into 22 turnovers.