Big Second Half Pushes Knights Over Willamette
PORTLAND, Ore. – A tie game at halftime turned into a rout in the second period as Warner Pacific surged past Willamette 82-50 in non-conference women’s basketball action at C.C. Perry Gym tonight.
It appeared early on that the visiting Bearcats would give the Knights all they could handle thanks to long range shooting from Alex Zennan. The Bearcat guard, who hit 3 shots from downtown in the first 7 minutes, led Willametee to a 14-7 lead early.
WP fought back quickly however, and took an 18-16 at the 10:11 mark. The game settled into a back and forth contest with the game tied four more times, the last time at the half time buzzer knotted up at 37.
The lid went on the basket after the break for Willamette, as the Bearcats did not score for the first 10:48 of action. Lauren Vannini broke the drought on a layup at 9:12 to play, but the Knights had built a 60-39 lead by that point. The Knight defense was stingy for the entire 20 minutes, holding WU to 25 percent shooting (6-24).
Cameryn Calhoun came alive for Warner Pacific in the second period, scoring 12 of her season high 18 points in the half. Shayla Fetters had a nice game off the bench, adding 13 points. Marissa Towry chipped in with 12 counters.
The Bearcats were paced by Keilyn Fujioka who ranged in and out for 18 points. Zennan finished with 16 points.
The Knights improve to 5-5 and head to McMinnville tomorrow to face Linfield College. Willamette now stands 2-5.