Women's Basketball | 11/22/2008 11:55:08 PM

Box Score MONMOUTH, Ore. - Humboldt State used a 17-point second half advantage to defeat Western Oregon 83-72 and capture the 2008 WOU/Phoenix Inn D2 Shootout championship, Saturday, Nov. 22.

Tournament MVP Katie Franci led the Lumberjacks (3-1) in points and rebounds, with 19 and 10 as she recorded her second double-double of the D2 Shootout. Taylor Kilgore helped lead HSU's comeback as she scored all 11 of her points in the second half, including going 3-of-3 from three-point range.

Katie Torland was named to the all-tournament team for the Wolves (2-2) as she lead WOU in scoring for the fourth time this season as she posted 21 points including 15 in the second half. Alissa Brasel added the first double-double of her Western Oregon career with 17 points and a team-high 10 rebounds. She did most of her damage in the first half with 15 of her 17 points. Shayla Corder and Whitney Chase also scored in double figures for WOU with 10 and 12 points, respectively.

"This was a disappointing loss in a game like this," said head coach Greg Bruce, "but our effort was good and the problems we did have can be fixed."

The Wolves lost the rebounding battle for the first time this season (43-35). Both teams were even on the defensive glass but seven additional HSU offensive rebounds helped give the Lumberjacks 12 extra shots in the game. Western Oregon did convert on 21-of-23 free throw attempts as it shot 91.3 percent from the line.

"We played very good physically today but we lost them on some three-point attempts," continued Bruce. "Our goal coming into the game was to limit their 3s but we were not disciplined enough to do that today as they outscored us by 15 points from the three-point line."

The first half was very competitive, as it featured seven ties and nine lead changes but Western Oregon managed to take a 42-36 lead into the locker room. The Lumberjacks would quickly erase the deficit as it opened the second half on a 21-6 run.

"This team is the best since I have been here at digging in and not giving up or folding at difficult times," explained Bruce. "Our offense is not there yet and our defense is okay, besides the 3s, but all our problems are fixable."

Next week, the Western Oregon women's basketball team will take on this same Humboldt State team Friday, Nov. 28 at 2:00 p.m. (MT), in the Hampton Inn Homecoming Tournament in Nampa, Idaho.

"Humboldt State was a good team, they were picked to finish third in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, but we will have a chance to look at what we didn't do well and fix those mistakes before facing them next week in Nampa."

2008 WOU/Phoenix Inn D2 Shootout All-Tournament Team

Britni Rathke, Norte Dame de Namur

Michelle Short, Forward, Saint Martin's

Katie Torland,Western Oregon

Brittney Taylor, Humboldt State

Katie Franci, Humboldt State (MVP)