Men's Basketball

2007-08 Men's Basketball News

  • Puget Sound Holds Off Willamette for 87-82 Win
    February 28, 2008
    TACOMA, WASH. -- Jason Foster scored 17 points and Austin Boyce contributed seven points in the final 3:10, as the University of Puget Sound held off Willamette University for an 87-82 win in the semifinal game of the Northwest Conference Tournament, Thursday, Feb. 28 at Memorial Fieldhouse. UPS, which edged Willamette 127-121 in two overtimes on Feb. 23, improved to 19-6 overall. The Bearcats concluded the season with an 11-15 record.
  • Kip's Corner 2007-08: Bearcat Hoop Internet Release (NWC Tournament Edition)
    February 27, 2008
    Bearcats Win Four-Way Tie for Third and Final Playoff Spot: Despite dropping its final two regular season games, the Willamette University menâ??s basketball team earned the third and final bid into the NWC Tournament. The Bearcatsâ?? 4-2 record against Linfield College, Lewis and Clark College and Pacific University gave WU a tie-breaker advantage after all four teams tied for third place in the NWC at 9-7.
  • Bearcats Prepare for Return Trip to Puget Sound
    February 26, 2008
    SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University will battle the University of Puget Sound in the Northwest Conference Semifinal in men's basketball on Thursday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. (PST), in Tacoma, Wash. It will be WU's second trip to Tacoma in six days to take on the Loggers. In the regular season finale on Saturday, Feb. 23, the teams play two halves and two overtime periods before Puget Sound edged the Bearcats, 127-121, to finish second in the NWC.
  • McClary and Smith are Chosen Second Team All-NWC
    February 26, 2008
    SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University men's basketball players Kyler McClary (Jr., Post, Hillsboro, OR/Glencoe HS) and Mike Smith (Sr., Wing, Talent, OR/Phoenix HS) have been named Second Team All-Northwest Conference for the 2007-08 season, as chosen by the NWC head coaches. McClary and Smith were WU's top two scorers, with McClary reaching double digits in 24 of 25 games and Smith hitting double figures 20 times.
  • Puget Sound Takes Second in NWC with 127-121 Win over Bearcats in Two Overtimes
    February 23, 2008
    TACOMA, WASH. -- Willamette University rallied from an 11-point deficit with 4:15 remaining to force overtime, but the University of Puget Sound, ranked #23 in NCAA Division III, outlasted the Bearcats, 127-121 in two overtimes, on Saturday, Feb. 23 in a battle for second place in the Northwest Conference. Puget Sound improved to 18-6, 11-5 in the NWC.
  • McClary Scores 30 Points, but Pacific Defeats Bearcats, 77-68
    February 22, 2008
    FOREST GROVE, ORE. -- Garold Howe scored 25 points and Joe Van Domelen added 21, as Pacific University concluded its home schedule with a 77-68 victory over Willamette University on Friday, Feb. 22. Pacific improved to 10-14 overall and to 8-7 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette dropped to 11-13 overall, 9-6 in the NWC.
  • Kip's Corner 2007-08: Bearcat Hoop Internet Release #12
    February 20, 2008
    Victory over Pioneers Sets Up Dramatic Finish to Season: In trying to describe the situation involving the Willamette University menâ??s basketball team, one could lean an on often-used coaching cliché: â??The next game is the biggest game. In the Bearcatsâ?? quest to make the Northwest Conference Tournament, no statement could be more true.
  • Kip's Corner 2007-08: Bearcat Hoop Internet Release #11
    February 16, 2008
    Bearcats Use Buzzer Beater to Push into Third Place in NWC Standings: Freshman point guard Robbie Kunkeâ??s last second layup gave Willamette University a hard-fought 82-81 win over visiting Linfield College on Tuesday, Feb. 12, in Salem, Ore. The win vaulted the Bearcats into third place in the Northwest Conference standings.
  • McClary and Mitchell Each Score 16 Points, as Bearcats Down Lewis & Clark, 82-77
    February 16, 2008
    SALEM, ORE. -- Junior post Kyler McClary (Hillsboro, OR/Glencoe HS) and sophomore post Cameron Mitchell (Portland, OR/Grant HS/U. of Redlands) produced 16 points apiece, leading Willamette University to an 82-77 victory over Lewis & Clark College in a key Northwest Conference game, Saturday, Feb. 16 at Cone Field House. Willamette regained sole possession of third place in the NWC at 9-5, while Lewis & Clark moved into a tie for fourth place at 8-6.
  • Kunke's Layup at Buzzer Sends Willamette Past Linfield, 82-81
    February 12, 2008
    SALEM, ORE. -- Robbie Kunke (Fr., PG, Clackamas, OR/Clackamas HS) scored on a layup at the buzzer, sending Willamette University to an 82-81 Northwest Conference victory over Linfield College, on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at Cone Field House. The winning shot was set up by Corey Costantino (Jr., Wing, Ashland, OR/Ashland HS), who passed the ball through a Linfield double-team and found Kunke under the basket.
  • Willamette Avenges Loss to Lutes, Defeats PLU, 80-71
    February 09, 2008
    SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University received double-digit scoring efforts from Kyler McClary (Jr., Post, Hillsboro, OR/Glencoe HS), Corey Costantino (Jr., Wing, Ashland, OR/Ashland HS) and Simon Currie (Jr., Wing/Post, Bend, OR/Mountain View HS), as the Bearcats defeated Pacific Lutheran University in a Northwest Conference game on Saturday, Feb. 9. Willamette sank 34 of 43 free throws (79.1%) and all nine Bearcats who played hit at least one charity shot.
  • Bearcats Fall to George Fox, 58-57, after Satern Scores Game's Final 11 Points
    February 08, 2008
    NEWBERG, ORE. -- George Fox University senior guard Brent Satern scored the game's final 11 points, as the Bruins erased a 10-point lead by Willamette University and defeated the Bearcats, 58-57, in a Northwest Conference game on Friday, Feb. 8. Willamette held a 57-47 advantage with 2:48 remaining, but Satern hit two 3-pointers in the next minute, added a layup with 41 seconds to go, and put in another basket and a foul shot with 26 seconds remaining.
  • Costantino is Selected First Team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District
    February 08, 2008
    SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University men's basketball player Corey Costantino (Jr., Wing, Ashland, OR/Ashland HS) has been named First Team ESPN The Magazine College Division Academic All-District VIII, as selected by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
  • Kip's Corner 2007-08: Bearcat Hoop Internet Release #10
    February 08, 2008
    Washington Sweep Vaults Bearcats into Tie for Third Place: In any given season, there are bound to be tremendous highs and difficult lows. Head Coach Gordie James and his Bearcats experienced a historic high in the State of Washington this past weekend, as Willamette University swept Whitman College, 78-66, and Whitworth University, 82-74. The wins vaulted the Bearcats into a tie with Linfield College for third place in the Northwest Conference at 6-4.
  • Willamette's Smith is Selected NWC Player of the Week
    February 05, 2008
    SALEM, ORE. --- Willamette University senior basketball player Mike Smith (Wing, Talent, OR/Phoenix HS) has been named Northwest Conference Player of the Week for his efforts in leading the Bearcats to wins at Whitman College and Whitworth University last week. Willamette defeated Whitman, 78-66, on Friday, Feb. 1, then downed Whitworth, 82-74, on Saturday, Feb. 2.
  • Mitchell's Double-Double Sends Willamette to 82-74 Win over NWC Co-Leader Whitworth
    February 02, 2008
    SPOKANE, WASH. -- Sophomore post Cameron Mitchell (Portland, OR/Grant HS/U. of Redlands) scored 27 points and grabbed 16 rebounds for his seventh double-double of the season, leading Willamette University to an 82-74 victory over Whitworth University, in a Northwest Conference game on Saturday, Feb. 2. Willamette improved to 8-11 on the season, including 6-4 in the NWC. Whitworth dropped to 15-4 overall, 8-2 in the NWC.
  • Kip's Corner 2007-08: Bearcat Hoop Internet Release #9
    February 01, 2008
    Pivotal Washington Trip Awaits Bearcats: Head Coach Gordie James and the Bearcats will hit the road this weekend, faced with the daunting task of the annual back-to-back stops in Walla Walla, Wash., and Spokane, Wash., for games against Whitman College and Whitworth University, respectively. Willamette, after splitting home games with Pacific University, a 62-57 win, and the University of Puget Sound, a 90-75 defeat, currently stands at 6-11 overall and 4-4 in the Northwest Conference. The Bearcats will play five of their final eight conference games on the road.
  • Smith Scores 22 Points, McClary Adds 18, as Bearcats Win at Whitman, 78-66
    February 01, 2008
    WALLA WALLA, WASH. -- Senior wing Mike Smith (Talent, OR/Phoenix HS) and sophomore post Cameron Mitchell (Portland, OR/Grant HS/U. of Redlands) supplied every point in a 9-0 run midway through the second half, propelling Willamette University into a 12-point lead, and the Bearcats went on to defeat Whitman College, 78-66, Friday, Feb. 1 at the Sherwood Center. Smith finished with a game-high 22 points, as Willamette moved to 7-11 overall, 5-4 in the Northwest Conference. Whitman dropped to 4-13, 0-9 in the NWC.
  • Loggers Outscore Bearcats 90-75, as Both Teams Shoot over 50%
    January 26, 2008
    SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University and the University of Puget Sound played two games with both teams over 100 points last season, as the Bearcats and the Loggers each recorded a win. This year, the teams didn't burst through the 100-point mark on Saturday, Jan. 26, but more of the game was played at the frenetic pace preferred by UPS, as the Loggers defeated Willamette, 90-75, at Cone Field House.
  • Kip's Corner 2007-08: Bearcat Hoop Internet Release #8
    January 25, 2008
    Bearcats Ride Momentum from Upset into Homestand: The Willamette University menâ??s basketball team snapped a 10-game conference road losing streak over the weekend, upsetting NWC foe Lewis and Clark College in Portland on Saturday, 82-71. Kyler McClary scored 22 points, Cameron Mitchell had a 20 point 14 rebound performance, and Michael Smith added 18 points as Willamette improved to 3-3 in NWC play (5-10 overall). L&C fell to 9-5 overall, 3-3 in the NWC.
  • Willamette Ends Game with 10-0 Run to Defeat Pacific, 62-57
    January 25, 2008
    SALEM, ORE. -- Senior wing Mike Smith (Talent, OR/Phoenix HS) connected on a 3-pointer from the top of the key as the clock moved inside one minute remaining, breaking a 57-57 tie and helping Willamette defeat Pacific University, 62-57, in a Northwest Conference game on Friday, Jan. 25. The Bearcats trailed 57-52 at Cone Field House with 2:53 remaining, but ended the game with a 10-0 run.
  • Willamette Rallies Past Lewis & Clark, 82-71
    January 19, 2008
    PORTLAND, ORE. -- Kyler McClary (Jr., Post, Hillsboro, OR/Glencoe HS) scored a team-high 22 points and Cameron Mitchell (Jr., Post, Portland, OR/Grant HS/U. of Redlands) provided 20 points and 14 rebounds, as Willamette University rallied from a 50-37 deficit in the second half to defeat Lewis & Clark College, 82-71, on Saturday, Jan. 19. The win improved the Bearcats to 5-10 overall, 3-3 in the Northwest Conference. Lewis & Clark dropped to 9-5 overall, 3-3 in the NWC.
  • Kip's Corner 2007-08: Bearcat Hoop Internet Release #7
    January 17, 2008
    WU at Crossroads after Three Games in Five Days: The Willamette University menâ??s basketball team finds itself at a critical juncture in the 2007-08 season. Willamette has just finished a three-game stretch of games in the past five days (topped off by a close 84-80 loss at NWC rival Linfield College on Tuesday) that leaves the Bearcats with a precarious 2-3 record in the league. In addition, not only is senior post Ian Mansfield out of the lineup indefinitely clearing up some academic issues, but injuries to sophomore Sean Spang and Nick Babij have left the Bearcats with only eight experienced players in uniform heading into a Saturday, Jan. 19 contest at Lewis and Clark College. Breaking Down the Bearcats â?¢ Senior wing Michael Smith and junior post Kyler McClary continue to be the engines that drive the Bearcats. In the win over George Fox University, and the losses to Pacific Lutheran University and Linfield, the duo combined to score 116 points.
  • Linfield Holds off Willamette for 84-80 Victory
    January 15, 2008
    McMINNVILLE, ORE. -- Linfield College held a 10-point lead with 3:53 remaining, but had to hold off Willamette University for an 84-80 Northwest Conference victory over the Bearcats at Ted Wilson Gymnasium on Tuesday, Jan. 15. Linfield improved to 9-5 overall and to 4-1 in the NWC. Willamette went to 4-10 overall, 2-3 in the NWC.
  • Pacific Lutheran Outscores Willamette, 106-88
    January 12, 2008
    TACOMA, WASH. -- Pacific Lutheran University received 27 points from Scott McDaniels and 24 points from Josh Dressler, as the Lutes downed Willamette University, 106-88, on Saturday, Jan. 12. PLU managed just one more field goal than the Bearcats, and both teams shot well from 3-point range, but the Lutes hit 22 of 27 free throws, while WU went 7 of 13 at the line.
  • Bearcats Rally Past George Fox, 73-71, in Overtime
    January 11, 2008
    SALEM, ORE. -- Kyler McClary (Jr., Post, Hillsboro, OR/Glencoe HS) hit a 3-pointer with less than five seconds left in regulation and Ian Mansfield (Sr., Post, Hillsboro, OR/Century HS) sank two free throws with 5.2 seconds to go in overtime, as Willamette University defeated George Fox University, 73-71, at Cone Field House on Friday, Jan. 11. Willamette improved to 4-8 overall, 2-1 in the Northwest Conference. GFU dropped to 4-8, 0-3 in the NWC.
  • Kip's Corner 2007-08: Bearcat Hoop Internet Release #6
    January 10, 2008
    WU Splits First Homestand of the Season: It was a little good and a little bad over the weekend for Head Coach Gordie Jamesâ?? Bearcats, as the Willamette University menâ??s basketball team opened Northwest Conference play by splitting a pair of games at home. On Friday, Jan. 4, Willamette played as well as it has all season to down the Missionaries of Whitman College, 86-71. On Saturday, Jan. 5, in a back-and-forth tilt that has come to epitomize recent battles with Whitworth University, the Bearcats fell in overtime 72-65.
  • Whitworth Escapes Cone Field House in Overtime, 72-65
    January 05, 2008
    SALEM, ORE. -- Whitworth University moved in front for good on a jumper and foul shot by Colin Willemsen with 3:53 left in overtime, and the Pirates went on to defeat Willamette University, 72-65, in a Northwest Conference game played at Cone Field House on Saturday, Jan. 5. Whitworth, which led most of the second half, but trailed several times late in regulation, improved to 7-3 overall, 1-1 in the NWC. Willamette fell to 3-8 overall, 1-1 in the NWC.
  • Mansfield Earns 23 Points and Nine Rebounds, as Willamette Downs Whitman, 86-71
    January 04, 2008
    SALEM, ORE. -- Senior post Ian Mansfield (Hillsboro, OR/Century HS) scored 23 points, grabbed nine rebounds and earned six assists to lead Willamette University to an 86-71 victory over Whitman College on Friday, Jan. 4, as the Bearcats won their home opener and Northwest Conference opener on the same night. The Bearcats improved to 3-7 on the season, 1-0 in the NWC. Whitman fell to 3-5, 0-1 in the NWC.
  • Kip's Corner 2007-08: Bearcat Hoop Internet Release #5
    January 03, 2008
    Conference Play Opens with Bearcats at Home â?¦ Finally: If you havenâ??t had a chance to see Willamette Universityâ??s Menâ??s Basketball team yet this season, donâ??t feel bad; no one else in Salem has either. Head Coach Gordie Jamesâ?? team opens Northwest Conference play this weekend with its first two home games of the year, hosting Whitman College (Friday) and Whitworth College (Saturday). Breaking Down the Bearcats As WU enters conference play, itâ??s a good time to take a look at the positives and areas in need of improvement after a 2-7 start, with all 9 games being played on the road, including seven games against NAIA or NCAA Division II scholarship programs.
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