Imai Scores 18 Points against University of Portland in Exhibition for Bearcats

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communication

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Kaitlin Imai (So., G, Santa Cruz, CA/Scotts Valley HS) scored 18 points for Willamette University against the University of Portland in an exhibition game for the Bearcats at the Chiles Center on Sunday, Dec. 17. The Pilots defeated the Bearcats, 83-40. The game counted for Portland, which improved to 7-6 with the win. Willamette remained 4-5 on the season.

Portland competes in NCAA Division I. Willamette is a member of NCAA Division III.

In addition to leading the Bearcats in scoring against the Pilots, Imai also recorded five rebounds, three assists, and one steal. Carolyn Ho (Sr., G, Parker, CO/Ponderosa HS) supplied Willamette with five points, seven boards, one assist, and one steal. Peyton Gardner (So., G, Bend, OR/Bend HS) scored four points, while contributing two rebounds and two assists.

The Pilots were led by Lainey Spear, who produced 16 points to go with six rebounds, three assists, three blocked shots, and a seal. Maisie Burnham added 15 points, five boards, and two assists. Rhyan Mogel accumulated 14 points, five assists, two rebounds, and a steal.

Burnham scored the opening points for Portland on a traditional three-point play. Imai answered for Willamette with a jump shot to reduce the Pilots' lead to 3-2 with 8:44 left in the first quarter. Portland tallied the next 12 points to build a 14-2 lead and the Pilots held a 21-8 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

Portland went on an 11-0 run to start the second quarter, including eight points by Burnham, as the UP lead increased to 32-8. Emma Floyd (So., F, Camano Island, WA/Stanwood HS)  stopped the run by hitting a 3-point basket for Willamette with 5:43 remaining in the half. A bit later, Imai sank a 3-point shot to pull WU within 38-16 at the 2:30 mark. The Pilots made two 3-pointers in the last 35 seconds of the opening half to take a 47-18 lead at the break.

In the third quarter, Portland outscored Willamette 16-10. Four of Willamette's points during the quarter were recorded by Imai. In the fourth quarter, Imai added six points for the Bearcats including her second 3-pointer of the game.

Portland shot 47.1% from the field (33 of 70) and hit 12 of 15 free throws for 80% at the line. Willamette connected on 15 of 54 field goals (27.8%), while making 5 of 8 free throw attempts (62.5%). On 3-point shots, WU was 5 of 21 (23.8%) and the Pilots were 5 for 22 (22.7%).

The Bearcats will play again on Tuesday, Dec. 19 in a neutral-site game against Trinity University (Texas). The game will be played at the University of Puget Sound, with the opening tip set for 4 p.m. PST.