[Box score]
MONMOUTH, Ore. - A complete performance led the Western Oregon women’s basketball team to a 64-55 victory over Mesa State on the final day of the WOU/Phoenix Inn & Suites DII Shootout, Saturday, Nov. 21.
With the win, Western Oregon improves to 2-4 on the season while the loss drops Mesa State to 0-2.
The Wolves received outstanding performances from three players: seniors Katie Torland and Shayla Corder along with junior Sara Zahler. Torland led all scorers with 21 points, grabbed seven rebounds and recorded four steals. She also made four three-pointers. Over the two-day tournament, Torland recorded 37 points, 12 rebounds, and six steals, earning her all-tournament honors for her efforts.
“This is Katie’s sixth consecutive all-tournament award in the past two seasons,” WOU head coach Greg Bruce said. “She made some big shots down the stretch tonight, especially her steal and full-court lay-in. It really seemed to swing the momentum in our favor.”
Corder scored six points, corralled eight boards and recorded eight assists, all while playing the point guard position for the first time this season. The last time a WOU women’s basketball player had eight assists in a game was Feb. 14, 2008, a 40-game stretch.
“Shayla has had some experience running the point in the past,” Bruce explained. “She seems to be able to block out pressure, and can utilize her size to see over the defense allowing her to make the right pass.”
Zahler scored a season-best 15 points, brought down eight rebounds, recorded five assists and had four steals. She also connected on five treys and took a key charge late in the game. Zahler totaled 27 points and 10 boards in two tournament games.
“This may have been Sara’s finest game in a Western Oregon uniform,” said Bruce. “I thought she was spectacular in all facets of the game. Her ability to be a ‘stat-stuffer’ was really on display tonight.”
Western Oregon found themselves down 33-29 at the end of the first half and allowed Mesa State to extend its lead to 10 points with 14:37 remaining in the second stanza. The Wolves would then go on a 28-9 run over the remainder of the game to seal the victory. WOU made eight of their 18 shot attempts during their game-winning run. In contrast, Mesa State missed 10 of its 14 field goal attempts and committed 11 turnovers down the stretch.
“I thought our conditioning was a big factor,” explained Bruce. “Defensively, our effort was better than we’ve seen in the last few games from a consistency stand-point. It was fun to watch.”
In all, the Wolves shot 38-percent from the field, 40-percent from three-point range, and 71-percent from the free throw line. WOU assisted on 16 of its 21 made baskets and connected on 12 shots from beyond the arc, giving them 45 on the season. They won the rebounding battle 34-28 and recorded 16 steals while forcing a total of 23 turnovers.
The Western Oregon women's team will continue its season Wednesday, Nov. 25th, at 5:15 p.m., in Monmouth against Bethany University.