By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
PORTLAND, Ore. -- University of Portland defeated Willamette University 82-27 in an exhibition game for the Bearcats on Sunday, Dec. 9 at the Chiles Center. Darian Slaga of Portland scored 14 points to lead all players. Britanny Kochenderfer (Sr., G, Klamath Falls, OR/Henley HS/Idaho State Univ.) was Willamette's top scorer with 10 points.
It was a regular season game for the Pilots, who play in NCAA Division I and the West Coast Conference. The game was an exhibition for Willamette, which competes in NCAA Division III and the Northwest Conference. Portland improved to 7-2. Willamette remained at 3-6.
In addition to leading WU in scoring, Kochenderfer provided the Bearcats with four rebounds, two assists, one steal and one blocked shot. Elizabeth Logsdon (Jr., F, McMinnville, OR/McMinnville HS) contributed eight points on 4-of-6 shooting. Madison Ballard (Fr., G, Monroe, OR/Monroe HS) scored six points to go with two steals, two rebounds and a block. Kochenderfer and Ballard each hit two 3-pointers.
Slaga made 6 of 8 field goals for the Pilots. She also supplied Portland with three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Haylee Andrews tallied 13 points, was 3 for 3 on 3-point shots, and grabbed six boards. Julie Spencer scored 12 points and hauled down five rebounds.
Lisa Kaempf earned 11 points and seven boards for Portland, while Jayce Gorzeman produced 10 points, seven boards, three assists and three steals. Kate Anderson finished with eight points and a game-high nine rebounds.
Portland scored the first five points of the game on a 3-pointer by Spencer and a layup by Slaga. Willamette cut the deficit to 5-2 on a jumper by Logsdon with 8:20 left in the first quarter. Another 3-pointer by Spencer and a 3-point shot by Andrews extended the Pilots' advantage to 11-2. Kali Vickery (Sr., G, Glide, OR/Glide HS) answered with a 3-pointer for the Bearcats.
The next four points went to Portland. Kochenderfer put through a 3-pointer that pulled the Bearcats within 15-8 with 5:36 remaining in the quarter. The Pilots closed the period with a 9-0 run to take a 24-8 lead into the second quarter.
Over the next 10 minutes, the Pilots pulled away by hitting 10 of 19 field goals (52.6%), while limiting Willamette to 12.5% (2 of 16) from the floor. Portland led 47-12 at halftime. Andrews scored 13 points and Slaga amassed 10 points during the first two quarters.
For the game, Portland shot 49.2% on field goals (32 of 65) and made 9 of 20 three-point attempts (45.0%). Strong defense by the Pilots limited Willamette to 19.6% shooting (10 of 51). Willamette committed 17 turnovers, compared to 12 turnovers by Portland.
The Bearcats will host Carroll College (Mont.) on Monday, Dec. 17 at Cone Field House. It will be an exhibition game for the Bearcats and a regular season game for Carroll. The Saints compete in the NAIA and the Frontier Conference. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. (PST).