By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

HELENA, Mont. -- Kaitlin Imai (Fy., G, Santa Cruz, CA/Scotts Valley High School) scored 11 points for Willamette University, but #9-ranked Carroll College (Mont.) from the NAIA, defeated the Bearcats, 74-35, on Monday, Nov. 21 in a late-morning game at the Carroll PE Center. The Saints improved to 4-3 on the season, while Willamette moved to 3-1 with its first loss. The Bearcats compete in NCAA Division III.

Imai hit 4 of 8 field goals and went 3 for 4 at the free throw line, while earning two steals. Claire Bonnet (Sr., G, Boise, ID/Boise HS) and Emma Floyd (Fy., F, Camano Island, WA/Stanwood HS) each added five points for the Bearcats. Danielle Morgan (Sr., F, Lompoc, CA/Allan Hancock HS/California Lutheran Univ.) grabbed four rebounds to go along with four points, one block, and one steal. Peyton Gardner (Fy., G, Bend, OR/Bend HS) led Willamette with three steals.

Jamie Pickens paced Carroll with 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting. She also blocked two shots. Kyndall Keller and Sienna Swannack each tallied 14 points for the Saints. Swannack led Carroll with three 3-point baskets. Izzyj Erickson provided six rebounds, while Kamden Hilborn contributed six assists and six steals. The Saints registered 19 steals while WU achieved 10 steals.

Carroll scored the first 16 points of the game, led 21-8 after the first quarter, and owned a 40-16 lead at halftime. Willamette pulled within 19-8 on a 3-pointer by Floyd at the 2:08 mark in the first quarter, but Addi Ekstrom of Carroll scored the final two points of the quarter on a layup with 17 seconds to go. In the second quarter, Imai put through a layup with 5:40 left to move WU as close as 26-12. For the game, the Saints shot 44.1% (26 of 59) and hit 6 of 22 attempts from 3-point range (27.3%). Carroll was 16 for 21 at the free throw line.

The Bearcats were held to 29.2% shooting from the field (14 of 48) and 8.0% on 3-pointers (2 of 25). WU finished 5 for 11 (45.5%) on free throws. Carroll recorded a 35-23 edge on the boards.

Willamette will take on the College of Idaho on Friday, Nov. 25 in Caldwell, Idaho. Game time is set for 5 p.m. CST/4 p.m. PST.