By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, Ore. -- Whitworth University built a 36-21 halftime lead on its way defeating Willamette University, 58-47, in Northwest Conference women's basketball action on Friday, Jan. 15 at Cone Field House. The Pirates improved their record to 9-5 overall, 4-2 in the NWC. Willamette moved to 10-4 on the season, 2-3 in the NWC.

KC McConnell led Whitworth with 26 points, including 18 points in the first half. She was 8 of 15 from the field, 4 for 9 on 3-pointers, and 6 for 6 at the free throw line. McConnell recorded a game-high four steals to go along with four rebounds.

Faith Emerson contributed 13 points for the Pirates on 5 of 7 field goals. Emerson grabbed a team-high five rebounds.

Madi Andresen was the top scorer for the Bearcats with 13 points and led WU with six rebounds. She was 5 for 5 on field goals. Kylie Towry (Jr./So., G, Medford, OR/South Medford HS) chipped in 10 points and a team-high three steals.

The Bearcats outscored the Pirates 26-22 in the second half, but couldn't overcome the halftime deficit.

Whitworth opened the game with an 8-2 run on a 3-pointer by McConnell, a traditional three-point play by Emerson and a jump shot by Emerson. Willamette trailed by nine points on three occasions in the first quarter, but were within six points, 19-13, at the end of the period.

Baskets for Willamette by Whitney Anderson (So., G, Willamina, OR/Willamina HS) and Andresen to start the second quarter, cut the margin to 19-17 with 8:10 remaining in the half.

The Pirates tallied the next five points, as Jessica Thoens put in a jump shot and a 3-pointer, giving Whitworth a 24-17 advantage with 7:01 on the clock. A layup by Alex Wert (Jr., F, Spokane, WA/St. George's HS) brought Willamette within 24-19 with 5:39 remaining in the half.

A bit later, Willamette trailed 27-21, before the Pirates closed the second quarter with a 9-0 run. All nine points were scored by McConnell. The visitors tacked on two points by Callie Harwood just over a minute in to the second half to increase their lead to 38-21.

Willamette responded with an 8-2 run on baskets by Wert, Towry, Marisa Hamilton (Jr./So., F, Beaverton, OR/Southridge HS) and Kali Vickery (Fr., G, Glide, OR/Glide HS) to get within 40-29 at the 5:48 mark of the third quarter. The Pirates countered with four of the next five points to begin a 10-6 run.

After three quarters, Whitworth led 50-35. Willamette earned the first three points of the fourth quarter on a layup and a foul shot by Andresen to cut the deficit to 12 points with 8:21 left. Whitworth continued to lead by double digits until the Bearcats pulled within 54-45 on a pair of free throws by Wert with 43 second left.

Willamette shot 43.9% from the field (18 of 41), but the Bearcats were held to just 1-for-12 shooting from 3-point range. Willamette entered the game ranked sixth in NCAA Division III with 8.8 three-pointers made per game.

The Pirates connected on 40.0% of its field goal attempts (20 of 50) and hit 5 of 19 three-pointers (26.3%). Whitworth made 13 of 17 free throws, while Willamette sank 10 of 15. The Bearcats finished with a 30-26 rebounding margin, but committed 26 turnovers. Whitworth earned 16 steals.

It will be a short turn-around for the Bearcats, who will host Whitman College on Saturday (Jan. 16). Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m. (PST).