By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications, (503) 370-6110
SALEM, Ore. -- Carolyn Ho (So., G, Parker, CO/Ponderosa HS) scored 18 points, Ava Kitchin (So., F, Redmond, OR/Redmond HS) contributed 13 points and eight rebounds, and the Bearcats shot 54.7% from the field., as Willamette University defeated Schreiner University (Texas), 66-50, on Friday, Nov. 12 at Cone Field House. The Bearcats connected on 29 of 53 shots and held the Mountaineers to just 30.2% shooting (19 of 63). Willamette upped its record to 2-0 on the season, while Schreiner fell to 1-2.
Schreiner zoomed out to an 8-2 lead with 5:36 left in the opening quarter as four players each provided one basket for the Mountaineers. Willamette trailed 12-9 after Elisa Peralta hit two free throws at the 1:32 mark, but the Bearcats went on a 7-0 run, starting with a layup and foul shot by Kitchin. Sami Riggs (Jr., G, La Verne, CA/Bonita HS) added a layup, and Kitchin completed the run with another inside basket for a 16-12 lead as the clock reached 16 seconds. Miranda Vallejo put through a 3-point jumper with four seconds left to pull Schreiner within 16-15 when the quarter ended.
The Mountaineers scored first in the second quarter on a layup by Gabby Ivarra to move in front, 17-16. With 8:00 remaining in the half, Schreiner grabbed a 20-18 lead with a fast-break basket by Ivarra. WU tied the score when Riggs scored on a jumper on the Bearcats' next possession. Schreiner regained the lead at 21-20 when Josline Hernandez sank 1 of 2 free throws.
Willamette scored next on a layup by Claire Bonnet (Jr., G, Boise, ID/Boise HS) with 6:22 to play in the half. Bonnet's basket started a 12-0 run by the Bearcats that gave WU a 32-21 lead with 3:13 to go. Neither team scored again until Cy-Maya Colquitt hit 1 of 2 free throws for SU with 36 seconds left. Willamette led 32-22 at halftime.
The Bearcats tallied the first four points of the third quarter and never trailed during the second half. Ho made a 3-point shot with 5:31 remaining in the third quarter that increased the lead to 45-28, and Ashley Collins connected on a jumper to give WU a 51-30 advantage as the clock reached 3:53. Hernandez scored on a layup for Schreiner before the Bearcats closed out the quarter with a driving layup by Megan River and a layup by CarolAnn Edwards (So., F, Spokane, WA/University HS). Willamette owned a 55-32 lead entering the fourth quarter.
WU's lead reached as high as 25 points at 57-32 on a layup by Collins with 8:39 to play. The Mountaineers cut the deficit to 59-43 with 4:27 left and move within 62-48 on a step-back, 3-point jumper by Ivarra with 2:35 remaining. The Bearcats stopped the comeback by adding the next basket on a driving layup by Ho with 2:12 to go.
Ho's 18 points on and the 13 points by Kitchin led the Bearcats. Edwards tacked on eight points, while Riggs earned six points. Ho was 7 of 13 from the field and 2 of 4 on 3-pointers. Kitchin finished 6 of 7 on field goals.
River grabbed eight rebounds to tie Kitchin for game-high honors. Willamette achieved a 41-32 rebounding edge.
Ivarra was Schreiner's top scorer with 15 points on 6 of 12 shooting. She also registered six rebounds and two steals. Hernandez and Nariyah Buggs each scored eight points for the Mountaineers. Hernandez led all players with three steals.
Willamette will remain at home to take on Western Oregon University on Sunday, Nov. 14. Game time at Cone Field House is set for 2 p.m. (PST).