By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

TACOMA, Wash. -- Megan River (Sr., G, Tumwater, WA/A.G. West Black Hills HS) of Willamette University scored 18 points, grabbed four rebounds, and provided four assists, as the Bearcats defeated Pacific Lutheran University, 62-47, on Saturday, Jan. 6 at Olson Auditorium. Willamette improved to 7-6 on the season, 4-0 in the Northwest Conference. Pacific Lutheran dropped to 9-4 overall, 1-3 in the NWC.

It was the seventh time in River's career that she has scored at least 18 points. Her career high of 23 points was earned against Whitman College on Jan. 21, 2023. Against the Lutes on Saturday, she was 7 of 12 from the field, including 4 of 6 on 3-point shots.

Kaitlin Imai (So., G, Santa Cruz, CA/Scotts Valley HS) supplied WU with 12 points, including two 3-point baskets. She also contributed seven rebounds and three steals. She blocked two shots.

Ashley Collins (Sr., P, Chino Hills, CA/Chino Hills HS) added 10 points, five rebounds, and two steals. Ava Kitchin (Sr., P, Redmond, OR/Redmond HS) earned eight points and three boards. Carolyn Ho (Sr., G, Parker, CO/Ponderosa HS) finished with a game-high eight rebounds and led all players with six assists.

The Bearcats outrebounded PLU 39-37 and limited the Lutes to 29.3% shooting for the game, including just 18.5% (5 of 27) from behind the 3-point arc. Willamette was 23 of 58 (43.1%) on field goals and made 10 of 29 three-point shots (34.5%).

WU has held opponents to an average of just 62.9 points per game, including five games allowing fewer than 60 points. Opponents are shooting a combined 39.3% on field goals (20.3% on 3-pointers).

Ashley Akamine topped the Lutes with 11 points, eight rebounds, and three steals. Ava Edmonds and Syndey Reisner each scored nine points, while Raylie Wardenaar achieved eight points. Brandie Tobin was credited with five rebounds and five assists.

The Lutes grabbed a 9-4 lead with 8:16 left in the first quarter on a 3-pointer by Edmonds. WU forced a 9-9 tie at the 6:26 mark on a fast-break layup by River. PLU moved in front 12-9 on a 3-pointer by Weardenaar, but the Bearcats countered with a 7-0 run that ended with a 3-pointer from River for a 16-12 edge with 3:39 to play. The Bearcats led 20-19 at the end of the quarter.

Three-point baskets by Ho and River gave the Bearcats a 26-19 lead with 8:18 remaining in the half. Willamette held a 30-21 advantage with 4:51 on the clock following a jumper by Collins.

Willamette scored the last six points of the second quarter after PLU pulled within 34-29 on a jumper by Taylor Schmidtke with 59 seconds left. River hit a 3-point basket for the Bearcats with 31 seconds to go following a pass from Ho. River then assisted on the final points of the half when Imai put through a 3-pointer from the top of the key as the buzzer sounded. WU owned a 40-29 lead at halftime.

Imai sank another 3-pointer just 31 seconds into the second half to increase the Bearcats' lead to 14 points. WU claimed a 17-12 scoring margin in the third quarter and entered the final quarter with a 57-41 advantage.

PLU gained a slim 6-5 edge in a low-scoring fourth quarter. The Lutes tallied the first six points of the period to pull within 57-47 on a layup by Tami Gallo-Paul with 3:29 remaining. River scored all five of Willamette's points to extend the lead and secure the victory. She connected on a layup with 2:12 left and registered a 3-point basket with 1:31 to go. Ho assisted on the 3-pointer.

The Bearcats will play at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, on Tuesday, Jan. 9. Tipoff for the NWC match-up is slated for 6 p.m. PST.