Women's Basketball | 11/16/2008 12:02:26 AM
Box Score BELMONT, Calif. -
Katie Torland scored 26 points and grabbed 15 rebounds to lift the Western Oregon University women's basketball team to its first victory of the season, 71-57 over Cal State Monterey Bay Sunday, Nov. 16 on the last day of the NDNU Tip-Off Tournament.
Torland, who was selected to the all-tournament team, went 9-of-15 from the field, including 5-of-7 in the second half, and was 5-for-8 at the line. At one point early in the second half she scored 13 straight points for Western Oregon which included three consecutive three point baskets. Her 15 rebounds (six offensive) also helped WOU win the battle of the boards over Cal State Monterey 51-38.
"This was a very good team win on the road," said head coach Greg Bruce. "Our defense played tremendous and we played well on the boards."
Cal State Monterey started the game on fire as it converted on 10 of its first 12 shots but Western Oregon's defense then responded to limit the Otters to just 10-55 for the rest of the game including a 26.3 field goal percentage in the second half.
"The team defense was the key," explained Bruce. "We were able to limit a team that scored 91 points yesterday to just 57 today."
The Wolves also received double-digit scoring efforts from Sara Zahler and Shayla Corder who notched 11 and 13 points, respectively. Zahler did all here damage in the first half and took just one shot in the second while Corder was just 1-of-7 from the field but got to the free throw line 12 times and made 11 of them. The Wolves were able to convert on 22-of-29 free throws on the afternoon while limiting the Otters to just 6-11 from the charity stripe.
"Our offense is still not there yet but we were able to get to the free throw line and took much better shots today," continued Bruce. "I was happy that we were able to get the win on the road but I am looking forward to coming home and playing our tournament next week (WOU/Phoenix Inn D2 Shootout)."
The Western Oregon women's basketball team will host Notre Dame de Namur in its home opener Friday, Nov. 21, at 5:15 p.m., during the first round of the WOU/Phoenix Inn D2 Shootout. The Wolves will then face Humboldt State Saturday Nov. 22, at 3:00 p.m., in the predetermine tournament format.
