Chapman Uses Defense and Free Throws to Defeat Bearcats, 75-51

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

ORANGE, CALIF. -- Chapman University hit 30 of 41 free throws (73.2%) and held Willamette University to 32.1% field goal shooting (17 of 53), as the Panthers defeated the Bearcats, 75-51, on Wednesday, Dec. 21 at the Hutton Sports Center. Chapman upped its record to 7-4 overall, while Willamette dropped to 1-10 on the season.

In the first half, WU connected on just 25.9% of its field goals (7 of 27), while Chapman shot 57.1% (12 of 21), helping the Panthers take a 41-27 lead over the Bearcats. Willamette never got closer than 14 points in the second half.

Kimi Takaoka of Chapman led all scorers with 20 points. She sank 10 of 12 free throws. Anne Yoshimura added 16 points for the Panthers and went 8 for 9 at the line. Emily McCoy and Andrea Villanueva each tallied 13 points for Chapman.

Chapman shot 43.1% on field goals during the game (22 of 51). The Panthers forced Willamette into 40 turnovers, while CU lost the ball 29 times.

Kaileigh Westermann (Sr., F, Belfair, WA/South Kitsap HS) topped Willamette with a double-double, as she earned 14 points and 10 rebounds. Mackenzie Lamson (So., Wing, Portland, OR/Lincoln HS) returned to action for the Bearcats after missing four games with a leg injury. She registered eight points and two steals.

Rebecca Josephson (So., Wing, Fair Oaks, CA/Del Campo HS) scored six points and hauled down eight boards for the Bearcats before fouling out with 5:53 remaining. Jojo DeLong (Fr., PG, Santa Clarita, CA/Canyon HS) and Julia Brand (Fr., Wing, Kaneohe, HI/Punahou School) also scored six points apiece.

Willamette tallied the game's first three points led 5-2 after Westermann sank a pair of free throws with 17:10 left in the half. Chapman answered with a 10-0 run to surge into the lead at 12-5. The last three points of the run were scored by Takaoka on a basket and a foul shot at the 14:08 mark.

After a jumper by Westermann, Chapman scored eight consecutive points for a 20-7 advantage. DeLong connected on a 3-pointer for WU to end the run. Josephson nailed 2 of 3 free throws with 10:26 on the clock, after being fouled on a 3-point attempt. Josephson tacked on a jumper 17 seconds later, pulling the Bearcats within 20-14.

Chapman extended the lead to as many as 18 points later in the half. Willamette earned the final four points before the intermission on a jump shot by Lamson and two free throws on four attempts by Westermann.

Willamette outscored the Panthers by one point on shots from the field over the final 20 minutes, as WU went 10 of 26 (38.5%) and Chapman put in 10 of 30 shots (33.3%), while WU made the only 3-pointer of the half.

The Panthers, however, extended their lead by converting 14 of 18 free throws, while Willamette made 3 of 5. The Bearcats finished 15 of 22 at the line (68.2%).

For the game, WU held a 37-34 rebounding margin. Westermann's 10 boards led all players. Liz Hartnett topped Chapman with seven rebounds.

Willamette does not play again until Friday, Jan. 6, 2012, when the Bearcats will host Pacific University. Game time at Cone Field House is slated for 6 p.m. (PST).