Northwest Christian Rallies from 30-28 Halftime Deficit to Defeat Bearcats, 62-55

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Northwest Christian trailed 30-28 at halftime, but the Beacons rallied in the second half to down Willamette University, 62-55, in a non-conference women's basketball game on Monday, Nov. 12 at Cone Field House. The Beacons were led by Hannah Eddens, who scored 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds, and by Morgan McKinney, who scored 12 points and earned five boards. Britanny Kochenderfer (Sr., G, Klamath Falls, OR/Henley HS/Idaho State Univ.) of Willamette recorded her second consecutive double-double, as she tallied 19 points and hauled down 10 rebounds.

Northwest Christian, which competes in the NAIA and the Cascade Collegiate Conference,  improved its record to 3-4 on the season. Willamette, which is a member of NCAA Division III and the Northwest Conference, fell to 0-2.

Kaylynn Bush of NCU scored 10 points to join Eddens and McKinney in double figures. Dani Baker scored eight points for the Beacons. Conner Borigo tallied seven points, seven rebounds and five assists.

Following Kochenderfer on Willamette's scoring chart was Amanda Carpenter (So., G, Beaverton, OR/Sunset HS) with 10 points. Carpenter was 2 of 4 on 3-point shots. Elizabeth Logsdon (So., F, McMinnville, OR/McMinnville HS) and Drew Farmer (Jr., PG, Brookings, OR/Brookings-Harbor HS) each added seven points, with Farmer also contributing five assists.

The Beacons held a 15-11 lead at the end of the first quarter following a 3-point shot by Sarah Reinecker with 33 seconds left. Bush led NCU with five points and three rebounds during the quarter, while Kochenderfer paced WU with five points and four rebounds. NCU was 6 of 12 from the field and 3 of 4 on 3-pointers.

Willamette tied the score after opening the second quarter with a 4-0 run on baskets by Logsdon and Farmer. Baker sank a 3-pointer to give the Beacons an 18-15 lead at the 7:41 mark, but the Bearcats moved in front, 19-18, on a basket by Carpenter with 6:15 left in the half.

There were six more lead changes during the second quarter. Northwest Christian held the largest lead of the period at 26-21 after a layup by Borigo with 2:54 remaining. The Bearcats scored the next six points on a pair of 3-point shots by Madison Ballard (Fr., G, Monroe, OR/Monrow HS) to start a 9-2 run to end the half. NCU led 28-27 following a layup by Eddens with 1:48 to go. Carpenter scored the final basket of the half for Willamette on a 3-point effort with 1:04 left.

Kochenderfer earned the first basket of the second half to give Willamette a 32-28 margin. The next three points went to NCU, but the Bearcats regained a four-point lead at 35-31 on a 3-pointer by Carpenter with 7:07 on the clock. The Beacons registered an 8-2 run ending with a 3-point basket by McKinney for a 39-37 lead at the 3:17 mark.

WU tied the score on a pair of free throws by Kochenderfer, but Northwest Christian answered with six points in a row for a 45-39 lead. Logsdon sank 1 of 2 free throws for WU with 23 seconds left, leaving the Beacons with a five-point advantage entering the fourth quarter.

The Bearcats trailed by just four points at 47-43 after a layup by Morgan Yamane (Fr., F, Moses Lake, WA/Moses Lake HS) with 9:12 remaining. NCU went on a 9-3 run, including four points by Reinecker, to increase its lead to 56-46 with 4:28 left. Kochenderfer put through a 3-pointer 17 seconds later, but the Bearcats never got closer.

NCU shot 46.4% from the field (26 of 56) and made 5 of 12 three-point attempts (41.7%). The Beacons were 5 for 9 at the free throw line. Willamette connected on 33.3% of its field goals (19 of 57), including 7 of 27 (25.9%) from 3-point range. The Bearcats sank 10 of 14 free throws (71.4%).

Willamette will take on Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (Calif.) on Friday, Nov. 16 at George Fox University in the first round of the Bruin Classic. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. (PST). On Saturday, Nov. 17, the Bearcats will play at home in the second round of the Bruin Classic, as Willamette hosts Evergreen State College (Wash.). Game time at Cone Field House is scheduled for 4 p.m. (PST).

Big Moment of the Game for Willamette

Britanny Kochenderfer scored the opening basket of the
third quarter to give Willamette a 32-28 lead. She went on
to score 14 of her game-high 19 points in the second half.
She finished the evening with her second double-double in
as many games after grabbing 10 rebounds, including five
in the second half. She has averaged 20 points and 11
rebounds in Willamette's first two games.