By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SPOKANE, Wash. -- Elyse Waldal (Jr., Snohomish, WA/Glacier Peak HS/Linfield University) scored 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting, and Ava Kitchin (Sr., P, Redmond, OR/Redmond HS) added a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, as Willamette University downed Whitworth University, 77-71, on Friday, Dec. 1 in the Northwest Conference opener for both teams. Waldal also led the Bearcats with three 3-point baskets. The win at Whitworth Fieldhouse improved the Bearcats to 3-4 on the season, 1-0 in the NWC. Whitworth fell to 1-4 overall, 0-1 in the NWC.

Waldal and Kitchin were two of five Bearcats who provided double-digit scoring. Peyton Gardner (So., G, Bend, OR/Bend HS) tacked on 14 points and was 6 for 8 from the field. Kaitlin Imai (So., G, Santa Cruz, CA/Scotts Valley HS) added 13 points, while Carolyn Ho (Sr., G, Parker, CO/Ponderosa HS) finished with 10 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. Waldal and Megan River (Sr., G, Tumwater, WA/A.G. West Black Hills HS) each supplied three assists.

Willamette held the lead throughout the second half, including 58-46 entering the fourth quarter. The Pirates eventually pulled within 64-61 with 3:35 remaining on a layup by Zalissa Sanfo, but Kitchin scored next on a layup and River sank a 3-point shot with 2:28 left for a 69-61 advantage. Mya Edwards of Whitworth cut the lead to 69-63 with a layup at the 1:52 mark. The Bearcats secured the win by hitting 8 of 12 free throws in the final 1:19.

Whitworth kept battling in the final minute and pulled as close as 75-71 on a driving layup by Kimberly Dewey with six seconds to go. Ho scored Willamette's final two points at the free throw line with three seconds on the clock.

Dewey led the Pirates in scoring with 21 points, while Edwards supplied 17 points, six rebounds, and three assists. Sanfo grabbed 14 rebounds to top all players, and scored nine points for Whitworth. Cheyenne Rodgers also contributed nine points.

The Bearcats shot 49.1% (27 of 55) from the field, including an impressive 81.8% (9 of 11) in the second quarter, when Willamette outscored Whitworth 27-15. On defense, Willamette limited the Pirates to 41.7% shooting (30 of 62) and held Whitworth to 6 of 28 on 3-point attempts (21.4%). The Bearcats were 5 of 14 (35.7%) on long-range shots.

Each team hauled down 38 rebounds, but Willamette gained an edge at the free throw line with 20 more attempts than the Pirates. The Bearcats sank 18 of 28 free throws (64.3%), while Whitworth finished 5 of 8 (62.5%).

Whitworth opened the game with a 6-2 run before the Bearcats countered with an 8-0 surge to take a 10-6 lead following a fast-break layup by Addie Hiler (Fy., F, Boise, ID/Bishop Kelly HS). The Pirates scored 11 of the next 13 points to grab a 17-12 lead following a 3-pointer by Dawson Driggs with 16 seconds left in the first quarter. A driving layup by Gardner with two seconds to play pulled the Bearcats within three points.

Dewey scored for the Pirates at the start of the second quarter for a 19-14 lead. Willamette tallied the next six points on a pair of free throws by Hiler, a 3-pointer by Waldal, and a free throw from Kitchin with 8:18 remaining in the half. The Pirates regained the lead at 21-20 on a driving layup by Driggs, but Waldal put Willamette in front with a jump shot.

The Bearcats went on to claim a 37-28 lead with 1:36 left in the half following a 3-point basket from Waldal. The team exchanged baskets until halftime. A driving layup by Ho with four seconds remaining provided the Bearcats with a 41-32 halftime edge.

Imai chipped in with a jump shot just seconds into the third quarter for an 11-point margin. The Pirates followed up with a 10-0 run ending with 3-point baskets by Rodgers and Dewey to move within 43-42. After Waldal put through a basket with 6:52 on clock, Alyssa Fitzgerald scored on a layup to pull Whitworth within 45-44, but the Bearcats kept the lead. Willamette ended the third quarter with a 13-2 outburst.

 Willamette will play another NWC game when the Bearcats take on Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, on Saturday, Dec. 2. Game time is slated for 4 p.m. PST. Whitman is ranked #17 in the D3hoops.com Women's Top 25 Poll.