By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Kaitlin Imai (Fy., G, Santa Cruz, CA/Scotts Valley HS) scored 17 points and Ashlyn Ascuena-Mercil (Sr., F, Boise, ID/Timberline HS) hauled down 12 rebounds to lead Willamette University in a 76-59 victory over Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (Calif.) in the regular season opener for the Bearcats on Friday, Nov. 11 at Cone Field House. Willamette moved to 1-0 on the season, while the Athenas fell to 0-1.

The Bearcats held a 36-27 lead at halftime. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps cut the margin to three points at 46-43 on a basket and a foul shot by Ariana Dalia with 2:28 left in the third quarter. Willamette responded by scoring the last 10 points of the quarter to claim a 56-46 advantage entering the fourth quarter. The Bearcats added four more points early in the final quarter on a 3-point shot by Imai and a free throw by Carolyn Ho (Jr., G, Parker, CO/Ponderosa HS) to extend the run to 14-0 while taking a 60-43 lead.

Imai hit 3 of 8 shots from 3-point range (37.5%) and was 6 for 6 at the free throw line on her way to leading the Bearcats in scoring. Ho earned 15 points and was 7 for 11 from the field. She also recorded a game-high five assists. Emma Floyd (Fy., F, Camano Island, WA/Stanwood HS) tallied 10 points for the Bearcats. Ascuena-Mercil's 12 boards led all players and she also contributed three assists. Megan River (Jr., G, Tumwater, WA/A.G. West Black Hills HS) finished with nine nits and four assists.

Renee Chong topped the CMS scoring chart with 17 points. Dalia produced 16 points and a team-high seven rebounds. Sadie Heckman chipped in eight points, while Gwen Gilmore achieved seven points and six rebounds.

Willamette shot 42.6% from the field (42 of 61) and made 8 of 20 three-pointers (40.0%). Claremont-Mudd-Scripps was held to 36.5% shooting (19 for 52) and just 18.8% accuracy from 3-point range (3 of 16).

Both teams excelled at the free throw line. The Bearcats sank 16 of 20 free throws (80.0%) and the Athenas connected on 18 of 22 foul shots (81.8%). Willamette gained a solid 38-31 rebounding edge and forced 11 turnovers, while the Bearcats lost possession just eight times.

The Bearcats will remain at home to take on Warner Pacific University on Monday, Nov. 14. Game time at Cone Field House is set for 7 p.m. (PST).