La Verne Rallies to Upend Willamette 68-65 in Season Opener

By Brandon Chinn, Athletics Communications Writer

PORTLAND,ORE. -- The Bearcats tooka latelead with 1:40 remaining in regulation, but the University of La Verne connected on four free throws to take a lead it wouldn't relinquish, spoiling Willamette University's seasonopener, 68-65, on Friday, Nov. 15.

With this game serving as the season opener for both teams, Willamette fell to 0-1, while La Verne moved to 1-0. The game also opened the first round of the Bon Appetit Tournament, hosted by Lewis & Clark College. In Friday's second game, SUNY Geneseo edged past Lewis & Clark, 63-62.

Katie Kalugin (Jr., G, Woodburn Ore./Woodburn HS) and Kylie Towry (Fr., G,Medford, Ore./South Medford HS)pacedWillamette with 14 points apiece, while Jojo DeLong (Jr., PG, Santa Clarita, Calif./Canyon HS) and Rebecca Josephson (Sr., G, Fair Oaks, Calif./Del Campo HS) each tallied 12.

Lindsey Fosterrecorded a double-doubleto lead La Verne, posting 20 points and 13 rebounds in the victory.

La Verne jumped out to an early lead, scoring 10 of the game's first 14 points. Three-pointers by Kalugin and DeLong sparked a 12-4 run by the 'Cats, who took a31-30 lead into the half after Josephson made a lay-up with two seconds remaining.

Tied at 40 early in the second half, Willamette utilized threes by Daena Mau (Jr., G, Aiea, Hawaii/Punahou School) and DeLong to extend its lead to 50-43 with 11:57 remaining. The Leopards responded, outscoring WU 9-3 run over the next three minutes of play.

Holding a small lead, Julia Brand connected with a jump shot to extend the lead to five at 58-53, but La Verne stayed close, preventing WU from pulling away.

The game was tied at 64-64 with 1:40 remaining, before the Bearcats pulled in front on a free throw by DeLong. But four late fouls by Willamette presentedLa Verne with six free throw attempts in the final minute and a half.

La Verne converted four of those attempts to pull in front for good en route to the 68-65 victory.

The Bearcats return to action tomorrow night (Sat., Nov. 16) against SUNY Geneseo in their second game of the Bon Appetit Tournament. Game timeis set for6 p.m. (PST).