Puget Sound Hits 8 of 15 Three-Pointers to Defeat Bearcats, 76-60

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

SALEM, ORE. -- The University of Puget Sound received a game-high 23 points from Kelsey McKinnis, as the Loggers defeated Willamette University, 76-60, in Northwest Conference action on Saturday, Dec. 3 at Cone Field House. McKinnis hit 7 of 12 shots from the field, including 4 of 6 on 3-pointers. She also went 5 for 6 at the line and earned five rebounds.

The Loggers, who finished 8 of 15 overall from 3-point range (53.3%), advanced to 5-2 on the season, 2-0 in the NWC. Willamette moved to 0-6 overall, 0-2 in the NWC.

Puget Sound owned a slim 12-10 advantage with 12:07 left in the first half. The Loggers registered the next five points for a 17-10 lead and later held a 24-14 margin with 6:37 on the clock.

Willamette pulled within 27-24 on a 3-pointer by Sophie Wilson (Jr., G, Port Townsend, WA/Port Townsend HS) at the 2:14 mark and also trailed by just three points, 29-26, when Wilson hit two free throws with 1:26 to remaining before the intermission. UPS closed the stanza by scoring five of the final six points for a 34-27 halftime lead.

The Bearcats stayed in striking distance for much of the second half. When Kaileigh Westermann (Sr., F, Belfair, WA/South Kitsap HS) scored on a layup with 9:53 left in the game, WU trailed by only five points, 54-49. A bit later, at the 8:03 mark, Willamette inched a bit closer on another layup by Westermann, as the score moved to 56-52.

Puget Sound extended the lead to 64-54 with an 8-2 run that ended with a jumper by Olivia Roberts with 5:18 to go. Willamette scored the next basket, but the Loggers countered with an 8-1 run to claim a 72-57 margin with 2:35 remaining.

McKinnis was one of three Loggers who finished in double figures. Lindsay Layland added 17 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. Jocelyn Riordan provided 14 additional points for Puget Sound.

Westermann led the Bearcats with 14 points, while Katelyn Nordlien (Fr., Wing, Salem, OR/North Salem HS) contributed 11 points -- all in the second half. JoJo DeLong (Fr., PG, Santa Clarita, CA/Canyon HS) earned seven points, six rebounds, two assists and four steals.

Puget Sound connected on 53.6% of its field goals (24 of 55). The Loggers converted 20 of 30 free throws and earned a 42-39 rebounding advantage.

The Bearcats hit 36.7% from the field (22 of 60), but improved from 29.6% in the first half (8 of 27) to 42.4% in the second half (14 of 33). WU made 3 of 13 three-point shots and sank 13 of 20 charity shots.

Willamette will return to action on Thursday, Dec. 8, when the Bearcats will host William Jessup University (Calif.). Game time at Cone Field House is set for 7 p.m. (PST).