By Sara Elcano, Assistant Athletics Communications Director

PORTLAND, ORE. -- The Willamette University women's basketball team lost its season opener at Concordia University (Ore.), 96-66, on Friday, Nov. 19. The Bearcats held a lead early in the first half but were unable to maintain it. Concordia improved to 4-3 overall. The Bearcats fell to 0-1.

Willamette jumped out to an early 7-0 advantage after baskets from Erin Barclay (Sr., G, Snohomish, WA/Bothell HS), Alex Zennan (Sr., G, Sammamish, WA/Eastlake HS) and Kaileigh Westermann (Jr., F, Belfair, WA/South Kitsap HS). Another bucket from Westermann gave Willamette a 9-1 advantage but it would be the Bearcats' biggest lead of the night.

Concordia got a 19-17 lead with 11:58 remaining in the first half on a shot by Rachel Scarpelli. The Cavaliers held the lead for the remainder of the game.

The Bearcats were within 13 points at halftime, trailing 47-34. However, Concordia opened the second half with a 19-2 run and gained a 30-point lead. The Cavaliers hit two three-points shots to start the run.

Willamette was 25 of 64 from the field for a 39.1% shooting percentage. The Bearcats went 5 of 12 from three-point range. Zennan led the way with four three-point baskets.

The Cavaliers were successful on 32 of their 67 shot attempts (47.8%). CU gained a significant advantage at the free throw line where the Cavaliers went 25 of 37 (67.6%), while WU was 11 of 19 (57.9%).

Willamette had a strong showing on the boards, pulling down 40 rebounds. The Cavaliers just edged WU, grabbing 43 boards. The teams combined for 60 turnovers in the game.

The Bearcats were led on offense by Zennan and Westermann. Zennan scored 22 points and was 8 of 14 from the field. Westermann added 15 points, nine rebounds and four steals.

Andrea Harris (Jr., F, Halsey, OR/Oregon State Univ.) added 10 points for Willamette.

Four players scored in double-digits for Concordia. Scarpelli lead all scorers with 23 points. Danielle Clauson added 19 points and Courtney May chipped in 14 for the Cavaliers. Brittney Yates connected for 10 points. Clauson grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds.

Willamette is back on the court on Saturday, Nov. 20 at Cone Field House against Northwest Christian University. The Beacons enter the game with a 2-3 overall record. Game time is set for 5 p.m. (PST).