By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Basketball is often thought of as a game with lots of offense. After all, teams score numerous baskets and free throws in every game. Many teams average 75 or more points per game, and scores of 100 or more are not that uncommon.

Even so, as in most sports, defense can make a difference. And it's more difficult to defeat a team that plays quality defense.

The Willamette University men's basketball team is off to a 1-1 start, thanks in part to solid defensive play. The Bearcats have limited their first two opponents -- very athletic squads from University of Texas-Tyler and Northwest Christian University -- to just 36.3% shooting from the field. Willamette has blocked a total of 16 shots, with eight blocks in each game.

"We have said since Day 1 that 'defense travels,' and that no matter how well or how poorly we play on offense, if we commit to guarding as a group, we will be in every game," Willamette Head Coach Kip Ioane said.

In the season opener, the Bearcats held UT-Tyler to 40.0% on field goals (28 of 70), including just 2 for 10 on 3-points shots. Dylan Critchfield (Jr., P, Broomfield, CO/Standley Lake HS) led the Bearcats with four blocked shots, while Casey Thornton (Jr., W, Santa Rosa, CA/Maria Carrillo HS) blocked three.

Northwest Christian shot just 32.3% (21 of 65) in Willamette's second game. The Beacons shot only 27.3% (9 of 33) in the second half. NCU made 3 of 11 three-pointers during the game.

Against NCU, Thornton blocked a team-high four shots. Critchfield blocked a dunk attempt by the Beacons' Brendyn Taylor in the second half. In the two games, Thornton has blocked seven shots and Critchfield has blocked five shots.

"We played two very good teams with a ton of athletes, and to be able to have those types of numbers defensively, coming out of those games, hopefully proves to the guys that their effort and buy-in to the scheme is worth it," Ioane said.

On offense, the Bearcats are averaging 74.5 points per game. Thornton ranks first on the offensive chart with 15.5 points per game. He is shooting 54.2% from the field (13 of 24).

Nico Troplent (Jr., W, Los Angeles, CA/Cathedral HS) has contributed 13.0 points per game, while Jordan Jenkins (So., F, Placentia, CA/Valencia HS) has scored 11.5 points per contest. A total of seven Willamette players are averaging at least six points per game.

The Bearcats will play again on Tuesday, Nov. 22 against crosstown rival Corban University. Game time on the Corban campus is scheduled for 7 p.m. (PST).