Willamette University Saturday Morning Sports Recap

The Willamette University women's basketball team opened the 2007-08 season with a 68-48 loss to Menlo College, ranked #10 in NAIA Division II.

Salem-News.com SPORTS

SALEM, Ore. - Here is a recap of Friday night sports action and sports news from Willamette University in Salem, Ore.

Men's Basketball:

Mitchell Carries Willamette Past College of Idaho:

Sophomore post Cameron Mitchell scored 17 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, as Willamette University opened its season with a 72-63 victory over the College of Idaho on Friday, in the first round of the 21st Annual Duane Wolfe Memorial Golden Rule Shoot-Out. College of Idaho fell to 2-3 with the loss.

Mitchell tied for the team lead in scoring and rebounding. He was matched on the scoreboard by senior wing Mike Smith, who also tallied 17 points. On the boards, Mitchell was matched by senior post Ian Mansfield, who hauled down 12 rebounds, all on defense. Kyler McClary tacked on 13 points and grabbed eight rebounds.

Josh Owen led College of Idaho with a game-high 21 points.

In the second round of the Golden Rule Shoot-Out on Saturday, Willamette will take on Eastern Oregon University at 6 p.m.

Women's Basketball:

Bearcats Fall to Oaks in Season Opener

The Willamette University women's basketball team opened the 2007-08 season with a 68-48 loss to Menlo College, ranked #10 in NAIA Division II, on the opening day of the Bon Appetit Classic, Friday, at Lewis & Clark College.

Menlo received 28 points from Kepua Lee in recording the win, while Molly Fillion led Willamette with 20 points.

The Oaks were in front by 18 points, 37-19, at halftime. Menlo outscored the Bearcats by just two points in the second half, 31-29. Menlo started the season at 1-0. Willamette is 0-1.

Joining Lee in double figures for Menlo were Kelci Fushikoshi and Emily Zygmontowicz, each with 10 points. Sonet Yee added eight points, five assists and two steals for the Oaks.

Fillion's 20 points for Willamette included 8 of 18 on field goals (3 of 7 three-pointers) and 1 for 2 at the line. She also grabbed a team-high seven rebounds. Laura Payne and Alex Zennan each recorded seven points for the Bearcats.

The Bearcats will play Haverford College (Pa.) on Saturday, in the second round of the Bon Appetit Classic. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m. (PST).

Cross Country:

McGuirk Named West Region Women’s Coach of the Year:

Willamette Cross Country Head Coach Matt McGuirk has been named 2007 NCAA Division III West Region Women’s Cross Country Coach of the Year, as selected by West Region members of the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). The Willamette women’s team won the NCAA West Regional title with a score of 43 and took first place by a 43-point margin of victory.

It is the fourth time that McGuirk has been named West Region Women’s Cross Country Coach of the Year. He also was chosen to receive the award in 2004, 2005 and 2006. He has been named West Region Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year three times, in 2001, 2003 and 2005.

The Willamette women's cross country team, led by defending national champion Sarah Zerzan, will compete at the NCAA Division III National Championships on Saturday.

Football:

Bennett Selected to Play in 2007 Aztec Bowl:

Willamette senior offensive tackle Brandon Bennett has been selected to play for the American Football Coaches Association’s Division III all-star team that will represent the United States against the Mexican National Team in the 2007 Aztec Bowl on Dec. 8 in Chihuahua, Mexico.

Bennett was named First Team All-Northwest Conference three consecutive seasons, after earning Honorable Mention All-NWC recognition as a freshman). He was selected for the AFCA All-America Team as a junior in 2006.

This season, Bennett led Willamette's offensive line, as the Bearcats gained 343.0 total yards and 250.0 rushing yards per game. During his four-year career, Bennett helped Willamette rush for a total of 8,960 yards (229.7 yards per game) and 94 touchdowns.

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