By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- The Willamette University women's basketball team played exceptional defense against Pacific Lutheran University in a 49-38 victory over the Lutes on Saturday, Feb. 11 at Cone Field House. The Bearcats held PLU to just 25.5% shooting from the field (13 of 51), including 1 for 15 from 3-point range (6.7%). In addition, Willamette put together a 15-3 run at the end of the third quarter and the start of the fourth quarter to turn a 30-27 deficit into a 42-33 lead.
Willamette's offensive surge started with 10 unanswered points, including six by Kaitlin Imai (Fy., G, Santa Cruz, CA/Scotts Valley HS) . After the Bearcats completed the run holding a nine-point margin, Stacie Spahr of PLU hit two free throws to pull within 42-35 with 4:08 left in the game, but the Lutes never got closer.
The Bearcats improved to 13-10 on the season, 8-6 in the Northwest Conference. The 38 points were the fewest allowed by WU this season, as the Bearcats moved to 12-0 when allowing less than 60 points. PLU fell to 2-21 overall, 2-12 in the NWC.
Willamette has clinched a winning record in the regular season for the third time since 2017-18. With two games remaining in the regular season, the Bearcats are currently fourth in the NWC standings, two games in front of a four-way tie for fifth place between Linfield University, George Fox University, and Whitworth University at 6-8. The top four teams in the final NWC standings will qualify for the NWC Tournament.
Prior to the start of Saturday's game, the Bearcats honored four seniors playing in their final home game. Seniors on this year's team are Ashlyn Ascuena-Mercil (Sr., F, Boise, ID/Timberline HS), Claire Bonnet (Sr., G, Boise, ID/Boise HS), Alicia Goetz (Jr., G, Poulsbo, WA/North Kitsap HS), and Sami Riggs (Sr., G, La Verne, CA/Bonita HS). WU also honored Head Coach Peg Swadener, who recently picked up her 100th win with the Bearcats. Swadener now has 103 wins.
Against Pacific Lutheran, Imai led the Bearcats in scoring with 17 points. She also topped Willamette's lineup with three successful 3-point shots. In addition, she provided WU with seven rebounds, two assists, and one blocked shot. Carolyn Ho (Jr., G, Parker, CO/Ponderosa HS) tacked on nine points and hauled down six rebounds. Ascuena-Mercil scored six points, snared nine rebounds, and blocked three shots. Riggs finished with six points, four boards, and two blocked shots. Willamette outrebounded PLU 44-38.
Ashley Akamine registered 18 points for the Lutes. She was the only PLU player with more than six points. Taylor Schmidtke tallied six points and grabbed 10 boards.
