By Sara Elcano, Assistant Athletics Communications Director

TACOMA, WASH. -- The Willamette University women's basketball team came up short against the University of Puget Sound, 68-45, on Friday, Dec. 3. The Loggers held a 17-point lead at halftime and extended their lead to as many as 25 points before defeating the Bearcats. UPS improved its record to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in the NWC. Willamette moved to 1-5 overall and 0-2 in the NWC.

Puget Sound shot well in the first half of play. The Loggers scored 15 of the first 17 points in the game to earn a 15-2 lead with 14:41 remaining in the half. UPS led by as many as 20 points before back-to-back baskets by Shayna Glynn (Sr., F, Boise, ID/Walla Walla CC) and Alex Brunt-Pluta (Fr., P, Encinitas, CA/Canyon Crest Academy) cut the lead to 34-17 at halftime.

The Loggers were 11 of 22 (50%) from the field in the first half and 3 of 5 (60%) from 3-point range. Willamette was 8 of 31 (25.8%) from the field and 0 of 6 from 3-point range over the first 20 minutes. The Bearcats forced the Loggers into 15 first-half turnovers.

Willamette cut the lead to 15 points, 40-25, with 15:14 remaining in the second half, when Erin Barclay (Sr., G, Snohomish, WA/Bothell HS) hit a free throw to complete a three-point play. The Bearcats did not get any closer.

Kaileigh Westermann (Jr., F, Belfair, WA/South Kitsap HS) recorded a double-double for WU. The junior forward scored 11 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Eight of Westermann's rebounds were on the offensive end.

Freshman MacKenzie Lamson (F, Portland, OR/Lincoln HS) scored 12 points for the Bearcats. She was 6 of 8 from the free throw line.

Jocelyn Riordan scored a game-high 17 points for the Loggers. Lindsay Layland added 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds.

Willamette will play at Corban University on Saturday, Dec. 4. The game will begin at 5:30 p.m. (PST) in Salem, Ore. Corban is currently 1-4 overall.