By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Concordia University (Ore.), ranked #24 in NAIA Division II, built a 51-35 halftime lead on its way to a 76-59 victory over Willamette University on Monday, Dec. 28 at Cone Field House. The Cavaliers improved to 8-4 on the season. Willamette, which competes in NCAA Division III, dropped to 2-7.

Kaileigh Westermann (So., F, Belfair, WA/South Kitsap HS) was the Bearcats' leading scorer and rebounder during the game, as she achieved 17 points to go with 13 rebounds. Westermann connected on 7 of 11 field goals and 3 of 4 free throws. Her scoring and rebounding totals were career highs.

Danielle Clauson topped Concordia's scoring chart with 18 points, while hitting 8 of 12 field goals. She also earned four assists and three rebounds for the Cavaliers.

Concordia took a 5-0 lead, but Willamette pulled within two points three times during the game's first six minutes. Westermann scored on a jumper at the 14:10 mark to cut the lead to two points at 13-11.

Clauson put in a layup for the Cavaliers with 13:44 on the clock, Rachel Bristow tacked on a 3-pointer at 13:09 and Megan Padilla added another 3-pointer at 12:38, as Concordia increased its lead to 23-11. The Cavaliers led 43-26 with 3:56 remaining in the half.

Willamette tallied the next five points on a layup and foul shot by Keilyn Fujioka (Jr., Post, Kailua, HI/Iolani School) and a layup by Westermann, as the Bearcats pulled within 43-31 at the 2:52 mark. Concordia responded with an 8-0 run that built the lead to 51-31 with 55 seconds left in the half.

WU scored the final four points of the period on two free throws by Maya McFaddin (So., G, McMinnville, OR/McMinnville HS) and a layup by Alex Zennan (Jr., G, Sammamish, WA/Eastlake HS). Westermann had 12 points and seven boards for Willamette at the break.

Concordia took control of the game with a 12-1 run during the first 6:44 of the second half. Clauson opened the run with six consecutive points before Westermann sank a free throw for Willamette at the 16:50 mark. Rachel Scarpelli tacked on two free throws for CU, then Ann Snodderly and Mariah Ladd each contributed a jumper, as the lead went to 63-36.

The Bearcats countered with an 11-0 run, but couldn't get closer than 16 points. Fujioka scored four points during the run, while Zennan provided a 3-point basket and Erin Barclay (Jr., PG, Snohomish, WA/Bothell HS) and Westermann each added a layup.

Concordia claimed only a slim 25-24 scoring edge in the second half, as both teams played well on defense. Willamette shot 30.3% (10 of 33) in the second half, while Concordia connected on 33.3% from the field (8 of 24) over the final 20 minutes.

Clauson was joined in double figures by Padilla, who scored 12 points for the Cavaliers, but hit just 4 of 12 field goals, including 1 of 8 on three-pointers. Padilla also earned seven rebounds, six assists and four steals. Snodderly produced eight points and six boards.

Westermann was one of three Bearcats with double-digit scoring. Zennan finished with 12 points, six assists and five steals. Fujioka contributed 11 points, six rebounds and two assists.

For the game, CU shot 47.5% (28 of 59), as the Cavaliers benefited from 57.1% accuracy (20 of 35) in the first half. Concordia was 4 of 18 on three-pointers (22.2%) and converted 16 of 22 free throws (72.7%).

Willamette finished the game with 35.4% overall field goal shooting (23 of 65). WU made 5 of 16 three-pointers (31.3%) and hit 8 of 9 free throws (88.9%).

The Bearcats will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 2, when they will host Whitworth University in the first Northwest Conference game of the season for both teams. Tip-off at Cone Field House is set for 3 p.m. (PDT).
Willamette will host Whitman College on Sunday, Jan. 3, also at 3 p.m. (PDT).