Kitchin Just Shy of Double-Double at Ken Schumann Classic

By Charlie McGuire, Athletics Communications Assistant

FOREST GROVE, Ore. – The Willamette University women's basketball team suffered a tough setback to Mary Harden Baylor in the opening round of the Ken Schumann Classic, hosted by Pacific University on Friday, November 17. The Crusaders, who received votes for the D3hoops.com top 25 rankings, used a big second quarter en route to an 86-49 win to improve to 2-1 on the season. The Bearcats slipped to 1-2 on the year.

Kaitlin Imai (So., G, Santa Cruz, CA/Scotts Valley HS) knocked down a three-pointer to open the game and Carolyn Ho (Sr., G, Parker, CO/Ponderosa HS) scored twice and handed out an assist to keep the Bearcats even, 7-7, in the early minutes. Senior Ava Kitchin (Sr., P, Redmond, OR/Redmond HS) looked strong in the post, adding a pair of lay-ups as well.

The Bearcats continued to have a strong start, trailing by a point with just under two minutes to play in the first quarter. The Crusaders scored back-to-back field goals to hold a 21-16 advantage at the end of the period.

The Crusaders started the second period with an 11-0 run to stretch the lead to 32-16 with 6:42 remaining in the half. Imai ended the run with a three-pointer before Peyton Gardner (So., G, Bend, OR/Bend HS) and Emma Floyd (So., G, Camano Island, WA/Stanwood HS) added triples to pull Willamette within 11 at the 1:53 mark. Alexis Carmosino tallied the final five points of the half to give MHB a 41-25 lead at the break.

Kitchin scored twice to start the third quarter before the Crusaders built the lead to 49-29, with 7:14 on the clock. Arieona Rosborough scored seven straight points to put MHB in front, 58-31, at the midpoint of the period. The Crusaders did not let up, leading by as many as 34.

The Bearcats continued to battle with Floyd hitting a three at the end of the period to make the score 68-40, heading into the final stanza. The pace slowed down for the final 10 minutes but the Bearcats were unable to cut into the deficit.

Kitchin turned in a solid performance, flirting with a double-double, scoring eight points and controlling eight rebounds. Imai added eight points while Floyd and Ashley Collins (Sr., P, Chino Hills, CA/Chino Hills HS) each scored six with Collins hitting 3-for-4 shots from the field.

Rosborough, a preseason All-American, led all scorers with 23 points, going 4-for-4 from the free throw line. MHB finished 12-of-14 from the stripe while Willamette had just five attempts, going 3-for-5.

The Crusaders take on Pacific on Saturday while the Bearcats look to rebound against Chapman. Willamette is scheduled to tip-off at Pacific at 2 pm PST.