Women's Basketball | 11/23/2012 6:55:00 PM

Box Score

SALEM, Ore. – Dana Goularte had 23 points and six rebounds as the Western Oregon women's basketball team held Willamette to just 28.8 percent from the field as the Wolves cruised to a 71-53 victory over the Bearcats in the opener of the Capital City Classic on Friday afternoon. With the victory, WOU improves to 3-2 on the season as the Wolves advance to face Corban in the championship game on Saturday, Nov. 24, at 5:00 p.m.

The Wolves defense was key throughout the contest as the Bearcats managed to only hit 17-of-59 shots from the field. WOU forced Willamette into 19 turnovers as the Wolves held a decided, 34-12, edge in points in the paint.

WOU led from start to finish during the contest as the Wolves used an 18-4 run over a ten-minute period in the first half to build a 15-point advantage. The Wolves carried a 10-point lead into the break as WOU managed to hold the Bearcats to just 18 points over the first 20 minutes.

The Bearcats would not get within single digits the rest of the way as the Wolves would build a lead as big as 27 points as WOU led 65-38 with just under six minutes remaining.

Goularte and the WOU frontcourt would power the Wolves to victory as the sophomore managed 23 points on 9-of-13 from the floor. Senior Lorrie Clifford added 17 points in the win on 6-of-10 from the floor.

The Wolves shot 41.1 percent from the field and held a 55-38 advantage on the glass, led by freshman Mariah Durian with nine rebounds in 22 minutes.

Kate Kalugin led Willamette with 13 points while Sophie Wilson had 11 points in a losing effort.

The Wolves will look to pick up their third straight win as they face Corban for the tournament title on Saturday at 5:00 p.m.