By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Carolyn Ho (So., G, Parker, CO/Ponderosa HS) hit 5 of 7 field goals, including 1 of 2 three-point shots, for Willamette University against Western Oregon University, but the Wolves defeated the Bearcats, 72-39, in a non-conference women's basketball game at Cone Field House on Sunday, Nov. 14. Ashley Collins (So., P, Chino Hills, CA/Chino Hills HS) added seven points for the Bearcats, while Claire Bonnet (Jr., G, Boise, ID/Boise HS) grabbed six rebounds and Ava Kitchin (So., F, Redmond, OR/Redmond HS) provided six points.

The Wolves, who compete in NCAA Division II and the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC), improved to 1-1 on the season. Willamette, which plays in NCAA Division III and the Northwest Conference, fell to 2-1 overall.

Meadow Aragon led Western Oregon with 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting and 4 for 4 at the free throw line. She earned four rebounds and blocked five shots. Alexis Wright chipped in 12 points and five boards. Tresai McCarver scored nine points for the Wolves. Ana McClave earned seven points and six rebounds.

Willamette trailed by just three points, 15-12, after the first quarter. The Wolves were in front 36-26 at halftime and held a 48-33 lead after three quarters.

The teams were tied twice in the first four minutes, and then Western Oregon went on a 6-0 run to take a 10-4 lead. McClave completed the run with about five minutes left in the opening quarter. A bit later, the Bearcats trailed 15-8, but ended the quarter with a jumper by River with 1:15 to go and a jumper by Collins with 10 seconds remaining.

Willamette eventually took an 18-17 lead when CarolAnn Edwards (So., F, Spokane, WA/University HS) scored on a driving layup a the 7:54 mark of the second quarter. The Wolves scored next on a layup by Alexis Wright and went on to claim a 24-18 lead. WU pulled within four points four times in the final five minutes of the half, including 30-26 on a layup by Sami Riggs (Jr., G, La Verne, CA/Bonita HS) with 1:49 to play. A jump shot by Aragon 18 seconds later started a 6-0 run for the Wolves to close the half.

The Wolves extended the run by 10 points at the start of the second half to 46-26, as Western Oregon kept the Bearcats off the scoreboard for the first 5:49 of the third quarter. Collins ended WU's scoreless streak with a jumper at the 4:11 mark. Ho tacked on a 3-pointer with 2:24 on the clock to reduce the margin to 46-31. Makenna Gambee of WOU and Edwards of Willamette each scored a basket during the last minute of the third quarter.

Western Oregon recorded the first eight points of the final quarter, as the Wolves upped their advantage to 56-33 with 8:22 left. The Wolves outscored the Bearcats 24-6 during the quarter.

For the game, the Bearcats shot 29.8% from the field (17 of 57) and made 1 of 7 three-pointers. The Wolves sank 31 of 56 field goals (55.4%), including 4 of 9 on 3-point attempts (44.4%). WOU gained a 40-27 rebounding edge.

Willamette will play the University of Redlands at the Bulldog-Panther Classic in Redlands, California, on Friday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. (PST). The Bearcats will take on Chapman University (Calif.) on Saturday, Nov. 20 in the second round of the classic at 3 p.m.