Johnson and Wales Downs Willamette, 85-75, behind 33 Points from Durkin

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Johnson and Wales University (Colo.) made full advantage of a hot shooter, as the Wildcats received 33 points from Caitlin Durkin on their way to an 85-75 victory over Willamette University in the seventh place game of the Capital City/Bruce Henderson Memorial Holiday Tournament on Saturday, Nov. 26. The Wildcats and Bearcats played at the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center on the campus of Corban University.

Kaileigh Westermann (Sr., F, Belfair, WA/South Kitsap HS) was Willamette's top scorer with 20 points. She hit 10 of 14 field goals and also registered a game-high 11 rebounds.

Durkin scored 18 points in the first half, when Johnson and Wales needed her scoring to keep pace with Willamette. The Bearcats led 9-0 on baskets by four different players. Rebecca Josephson (So., Wing, Fair Oaks, CA/Del Campo HS) who tallied the first basket 21 seconds into the game, also hit one of two free throws during the run.

J&W cut the lead to 9-5, but Willamette extended the margin to double digits when Katelyn Nordlien (Fr., Wing, Salem, OR/North Salem HS) hit a jumper for a 21-10 advantage with 12:42 left in the half.

Willamette later held a 31-15 margin after Nordlien hit a jumper and Maya McFaddin (Sr., Wing, McMinnville, OR/McMinnville HS) added a layup 20 seconds later with 8:02 on the clock. One minute later, WU still led by 16 points at 33-17, but the Wildcats responded with an 18-0 run.

The offensive surge by J&W started with a 3-pointer by Samantha Neal and included four 3-pointers overall. Durkin hit the last 3-pointer with 4:42 left in the half to tie the score, 33-33. The Wildcats completed the run with a jumper by Jasmine Culbreath at the 4:03 mark, as J&W took a 35-33 lead.

Dora Rabih (Sr., F, Denver, CO/John F. Kennedy HS/Arizona Western Coll.) sank a 3-pointer with 2:56 remaining, giving WU a 36-35 edge and ending just over four minutes of scoreless play for the Bearcats. Johnson and Wales outscored Willamette 8-2 to end the half for a 43-38 lead at the break. Overall, J&W completed the first half with a 26-5 run.

Willamette earned an 18-14 advantage in total field goals in the first half, but J&W was 7 of 14 on 3-pointers, while WU went 1 for 6. The Wildcats also hit 8 of 14 free throws in the first half, while WU made 1 of 2 charity shots.

Jojo DeLong (Fr., PG, Santa Clarita, CA/Canyon HS) opened the second half with a 3-pointer for Willamette, cutting the lead to 41-38. J&W continued to hold between a 3-point and a 7-point lead for much of the final 20 minutes. As the clock moved under 10 minutes remaining, the Wildcats led 63-57.

A 3-pointer by Durkin at the 8:38 mark gave J&W a 66-57 margin. The Bearcats pulled within 70-62 on a 3-pointer by MacKenzie Lamson (So., Wing, Portland, OR/Lincoln HS) with 6:59 left, but Johnson and Wales added two free throws by Neal 11 seconds later. The Wildcats led by at least nine points the rest of the way.

Durkin finished 10 of 19 from the field, including 6 of 8 on 3-pointers. Her 33 points led all scorers. She also earned five rebounds, two assists and one steal. Three other Wildcats reached double figures, as Neal and Victoria Huber each tallied 15 points, and Culbreath finished with 10. J&W forced Willamette into 25 turnovers, while the Wildcats lost the ball just 16 times.

Westermann was joined in double figures for Willamette by Nordlien, who finished with 14 points. She made 5 of 10 field goals and hit 4 of 4 free throws. Nordlien also grabbed eight rebounds and earned four of WU's 11 steals.

The Bearcats shot 43.2% from the field (32 of 74) and had six more field goals than the Wildcats (26 of 62). J&W hit 10 of 24 threes and made 23 of 34 free throws, while Willamette was 4 of 14 three-pointers and hit seven of 10 free throws. WU achieved a 51-36 advantage on the boards.

Westermann of WU and Durkin of J&W each earned Second Team All-Tournament recognition.

Up next for Willamette is the start of Northwest Conference play on Friday, Dec. 2. The Bearcats will host Pacific Lutheran University at 6 p.m. (PST).

Capital City/
Bruce Henderson Memorial Holiday Tournament

Results on Saturday, Nov. 26:
Corban, which co-hosted the tournament with Willamette, defeated Vanguard University (Calif.) in the championship game, 57-44.

Montreat College (N.C.), which defeated Willamette in the first round, won the third place game over College of St. Mary (Neb.), 96-86.

Northwest Christian University (Ore.) prevailed over Menlo College (Calif.) in the fifth place game, 66-57.

Johnson and Wales University (Colo.) defeated Willamette in the seventh place game, 85-75.

All-Tournament Team
MVP - Katie Steigleman, Corban

First Team - Tess Bennett, Corban; Esther Timmerman, Vanguard; Paige Halberg, Vanguard; Ebony Battle, Montreat; Mykeia Russell, Montreat.

Second Team - Tiffany Anzalone, College of St. Mary; Lindsey Shearer, Northwest Christian; Lauren Donnenwirth, Menlo; Caitlin Durkin, Johnson and Wales; Kaileigh Westermann, Willamette.