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

SALEM, ORE. -- Whitworth University, ranked #15 in the USA Today Coaches Poll and listed at #17 in the D3hoops.com Women's Basketball Top 25, ended the first half with a 14-2 run against Willamette University for a 30-18 halftime lead on Friday, Jan. 2. The Pirates went on to defeat the Bearcats, 68-48, in the Northwest Conference opener for both teams.

Willamette was tied with the Pirates at 16-16 after Kelsey Walker (Fr., G, Westerville, OH/Westerville North HS) hit a jumper for the Bearcats with 6:53 left in the opening half. Whitworth scored the next 12 points for a 28-16 lead, before Jojo DeLong (Sr., PG, Santa Clarita, CA/Canyon HS) sank a jumper for Willamette with 18 seconds remaining.

KC McConnell completed Whitworth's first-half run by hitting two free throws with one second on the clock.

The Pirates began the second half with an 8-0 run to extend their lead to 38-18 with 17:48 to go. Lexie Zappone recorded four of the eight points.

Willamette pulled within 44-31 a bit later, when a traditional three-point play by Marisa Hamilton (Fr., Beaverton, OR/Southridge HS) completed a 13-6 run with 14:51 remaining. The Bearcats were unable to get closer, as the Pirates countered with an 11-0 run -- including seven points from Faith Emerson -- to take charge of the game.

Whitworth improved to 10-0 on the season, 1-0 in the NWC. The Bearcats dropped to 5-5 overall, 0-1 in the NWC.

Jessica Kramer led the Pirates with 19 points and seven rebounds. She was 8 of 12 from the field. Zappone tacked on 15 points and had four steals for Whitworth, while Katara Belton-Sharp earned 13 points and five boards.

Willamette's top scorer was DeLong, who put in 16 points, including two 3-pointers. DeLong also supplied six assists, grabbed four rebounds and earned two steals. Kylie Towry (Fr., G, Medford, OR/South Medford HS) added eight points, while Hamilton finished with seven. Katie Kalugin (Sr., G, Woodburn, OR/Woodburn HS) led all players with nine rebounds.

The Pirates shot 41.7% for the game (25 of 60), but hit just 1 of 11 three-pointers (9.1%). Whitworth finished 17 for 24 at the free throw line (70.8%) and achieved a 42-37 rebounding margin.

Willamette hit 17 of 52 field goals (32.7%), including 6 of 19 from 3-point range (31.6%). The Bearcats connected on 8 of 13 free throws (61.5%).

The Bearcats will play at home again on Saturday, Jan. 3 against Whitman College. Game time is set for 4 p.m. (PST).