Bearcats Lead Wolves 35-31 at Halftime, but WOU Pulls Away in Fourth Quarter

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

MONMOUTH, Ore. -- The Willamette University Bearcats outscored Western Oregon University 18-6 in the second quarter to build a 35-31 halftime lead, but the Wolves won the game 67-51 after pulling away in the fourth quarter. Western Oregon, which competes in NCAA Division II and the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC), improved to 6-2 on the season. Willamette, which is a member of NCAA Division III and the Northwest Conference (NWC), fell to 4-5.

Megan River (Jr., G, Tumwater, WA/A.G. West Black Hills HS) scored seven points for Willamette during the successful second quarter. Sami Riggs (Sr., G, La Verne, CA/Bonita HS) and Carolyn Ho (Jr., G, Parker, CO/Ponderosa HS) each chipped in four points, and Kaitlin Imai (Fy., G, Santa Cruz, CA/Scotts Valley HS) tacked on a 3-point basket. The Bearcats hit 8 of 12 field goals (66.7%) in the quarter, and limited the Wolves to just 3-for-16 shooting (18.8%), including 0 for 5 from 3-point range.

Ho finished the game as Willamette's top scorer in the match-up of nearby rivals, as she tallied 18 points to go with four rebounds and two steals. River scored 17 points while grabbing six rebounds. She also provided two assists and earned one steal. Ho was 7 for 12 from the field and River was 6 for 12. Imai scored eight points and matched River with a team-high six boards. Riggs supplied seven points and hauled down five rebounds, while hitting 3 of 4 field goal attempts.

Princy Paaluhi-Caulk of Western Oregon led all players with 20 points. She was 9 for 13 from the field, and also provided six rebounds and a game-high five steals. Cali McClave was credited with 13 points and three 3-point baskets, as well as four rebounds and two steals. Kiylynn Dawkins added 12 points and six boards. Kylee Arzner latched onto a game-high nine rebounds, while Ana McClave grabbed eight rebounds.

The Wolves created a 13-4 lead just over three minutes into the game. Dawkins provided seven points during the run, including the final five points. Her individual 5-0 surge began with a traditional three-point play on a basket and a foul shot. She completed the run with an offensive rebound and a jump shot with 6:52 left in the quarter.

Willamette scored the next five points, as River sank a 3-pointer and Imai added two free throws to pull within 13-9 with 5:35 on the clock. Ana McClave added a jumper for WOU, but Ho connected on a 3-point shot and a layup to cut the lead to 15-14 at the 4:04 mark. Western Oregon extended the margin to 22-14 at the end of a 7-0 run. River put through a 3-pointer with 1:50 left and Cali McClave scored on a 3-pointer for the Wolves with 1:09 to play, as the quarter ended with WOU holding a 25-17 edge.

Although Willamette controlled much of the second period, it was Western Oregon that scored the first four points on a driving layup by Dawkins and a jumper in the paint by Paaluhi-Caulk. Willamette outscored the Wolves 18-2 over the final 8:17 of the half. Imai got the rally in motion with a 3-pointer and then River supplied a driving layup. Baskets by Riggs and Ho reduced the margin to 29-26 at the 5:02 mark.

Cali McClave scored for WOU with 4:41 on the clock before Willamette ended the half with seven points in a row. River and Ho each tacked on a driving layup, giving the Bearcats a 32-31 lead with 2:35 left. River hit 1 of 2 free throws with 1:23 remaining and earned the final points of the half on a steal and a pull-up jumper with 36 seconds to go.

In the third quarter, the Wolves achieved the first four points for a 35-35 tie. Ashlyn Ascuena-Mercil (Sr., F, Boise, ID/Timberline HS) sank a free throw at the 8:19 mark to regain the lead, but Western moved ahead 37-36 on two free throws by Erika Glenn. Later, River scored three straight points to tie the score at 40-40 with 2:08 left. The Wolves moved in front on a jumper by Arzner with 0:39 to go. In the closing seconds, Arzner missed a 3-pointer, but the rebound popped out to Ally Harman, who hit a 3-pointer, giving WOU a 45-40 edge.

An 8-0 outburst by the Wolves to start the fourth quarter increased the lead to 53-40 with 7:31 remaining. Ho sank a 3-pointer for Willamette to cut the lead to 10 points just 25 seconds later, but the Bearcats were unable to get closer. The Wolves outscored Willamette 22-11 during the quarter.

WOU shot 40.3% for the game (27 of 67) and finished 7 for 20 on 3-pointers (35.0%). Willamette converted 33.3% of its field goals (18 of 54), including 6 of 22 (27.3%) from 3-point range. The Wolves claimed a 48-32 rebounding margin and a 15-7 edge in offensive boards. WOU held a 16-5 margin in second-chance points. Both teams committed 16 turnovers.

The Bearcats will return to action on Thursday, Dec. 29 against Vancouver Island University from British Columbia, Canada. Game time at Cone Field House is scheduled for 6 p.m. (PST). WU is slated to host Alma College (Mich.) at Cone Field House on Friday, Dec. 30 at 6 p.m., following the WU vs. Douglas College (Canada) men's basketball game (4 p.m.).