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.
UPS, ranked #11 in NCAA Division III by D3Hoops.com, improved to 14-2 overall, while moving to 7-1 in the Northwest Conference. The Loggers are tied with Whitworth for first place in the NWC. The Bearcats dropped to 6-11 overall, 4-4 in the NWC. Willamette and three other teams are tied for fourth place in the NWC, one game behind Linfield College (5-3).
Mike Smith (Sr., Wing, Talent, OR/Phoenix HS) topped the Bearcats with 20 points. Corey Costantino (Jr., Wing, Ashland, OR/Ashland HS) and Kyler McClary (Jr., Post, Hillsboro, OR/Glencoe HS) each contributed 13 points.
Cameron Mitchell (So., Post, Portland, OR/Grant HS/U. of Redlands) achieved his sixth double-double of the season. He scored 12 points and hauled down a game-high 11 rebounds.
For the Loggers, Antwan Williams put in 25 points to go with five assists, four steals and four rebounds. Jason Foster added 21 points and six boards, while hitting 8 of 9 field goals. Robert Krauel provided UPS with 15 points, seven boards and three steals, while James Pinkney finished with 11 points.
UPS shot 52.2% from the field (35 of 67), including 64.3% over the final 20 minutes (18 of 28). Willamette connected on 51.7% of its field goals (30 of 58). The 'Cats shot 57.1% (16 of 28) in the second half.
The first half included four ties and four lead changes. WU and UPS were knotted at 10-10 with 17:09 left in the period, following a steal and layup by Smith. The Loggers went on a 7-2 run for a 17-12 advantage, but the Bearcats scored the next 14 points to surge ahead, 26-17.
Smith scored six points during WU's 14-0 run. He tallied a total of 11 points during the first half.
Willamette's run was answered by a 12-1 run from the Loggers, giving Puget Sound a 29-27 lead. Six different UPS players contributed points during the rally.
The Bearcats scored the next two points to tie the game on a jumper by McClary with 4:30 remaining in the half. Puget Sound moved back in front, 32-29, when Steffond Brown sank a 3-pointer just 14 seconds later.
UPS remained in front over the final minutes of the half and owned a 43-34 advantage at the break. Williams scored 17 first-half points for the Loggers.
Foster connected on a jump shot for UPS to score first points of the second half. Mitchell responded for Willamette by hitting a jumper a few seconds alter at the other end of the court. Williams gave UPS a 47-36 advantage with a layup at the 18:19 mark and the Loggers held a double-digit margin the rest of the way.
Puget Sound's full-court pressure forced Willamette into 23 turnovers, while the Loggers registered 13 steals. UPS committed just 11 turnovers.
Mitchell's 11-rebound performance for the Bearcats included eight defensive boards. His work on the glass helped Willamette achieve a 39-32 rebounding edge.
Costantino and Robbie Kunke (Fr., PG, Clackamas, OR/Clackamas HS) each led Willamette with five assists. McClary tacked on three assists for the 'Cats, who are averaging 15.1 assists per game.
Willamette will return to action on Friday, Feb. 1, with an NWC game at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash. Tip-off is slated for 8 p.m. (PST).
BOX SCORE
University of Puget Sound 90, Willamette University 75Cameron Mitchell recorded his sixth double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds against Puget Sound.
