Bearcats Win Battle with Willamette Alumni, 87-83, in Men's Basketball

Players for the Willamette and Alumni teams at the 2015-16 Alumni Game
Players for the Willamette and Alumni teams at the 2015-16 Alumni Game

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, Ore. -- Led by Brendon McCullough (So., G, San Antonio, TX/Home Schooled), who scored 27 points, the Willamette University men's basketball team defeated the Willamette Alumni, 87-83, on Sunday, Nov. 1 at Cone Field House.

McCullough put in 7 of 9 field goal attempts and made 13 of 17 free throws. He also supplied the Bearcats with three assists.

Four other players for the Willamette varsity joined McCullough in double figures. Brandon Luedtke (Sr., F, Meridian, ID/Mountain View HS) tallied 16 points and hauled down 10 rebounds. Hayden Russell (Jr., W, Woodland, CA/Da Vinci Charter Academy) poured in 16 points off the bench and hit 4 of 8 three-point shots. Bridger Harlington (Sr., W, Lake Tapps, WA/Auburn Riverside HS) scored 11 points and Nico Troplent (So., W, Los Angeles, CA/Cathedral HS) finished with 10.

Cameron Mitchell (2010) provided the Alumni team with a double-double on 20 points and 10 boards. Terrell Malley (2013) scored 18 points and hit 6 of 7 shots from beyond the 3-point line.

In addition to Mitchell and Malley, other Alumni participating in the game were:  Harold Sublett, Jr. (2005), Jason Luchterhand (2007), Joe Penkala (2010), Robbie Kunke (2011), Marcus Holmes (2011), Oliver Hughes (2013), Leo Abello (2013), Sam Walters (2013), and Kyle McNally (2015).

Willamette will open the 2015-16 regular season with a home game on Friday, Nov. 13 against Macalester College (Minn.) on Gordie James Court in Cone Field House. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. (PST).