SALEM, Ore. – Carroll College jumped out to a 14-2 lead en route to a 79-57 victory over Willamette University Saturday evening in the Bruce Henderson Memorial game. The game was a regular-season game for the Saints but an exhibition game for the Bearcats.
Bailey Snelling led the Saints with 20 points, including 12 points in the first half. Jordan Johnston added 18 points for the Saints and Kalee Junkermeier scored 13.
"Bailey Snelling was back to being Bailey Snelling," head coach Rachelle Sayers said. "She shot very well and did some great things with the ball."
The Saints were 27-48 from the field (56.3 percent) including 15-22 in the second half.
They also outrebounded the Bearcats 36-18.
"I am excited to get this win, especially on the road," Sayers said. "We've been everyone's first game and that has made things hard. We've had to adjust on the fly and tonight I think we did a great job for a young team."
Carroll is now 2-2 on the season and the win was the first after two hard fought losses to two NCAA D-II teams (MSU Billings and Saint Martin's) and a close exhibition loss to Montana State.
"They were ready for a win," Sayers said of her team. "We had some chances in the last few games but we left a few plays out there that we could have given us a chance. They were excited to get this win and head home to play NAIA teams."
The Saints host three straight games starting with Dakota Wesleyan Friday at 7 p.m.
Tonight's game held special meaning for Sayers. The game was held in honor of former Willamette Coach and player Bruce Henderson, who died after he collapsed at Bearcat Practice in 2008. Willamette dedicated a team room in his honor.
Henderson helped lead the Bearcats to the 1992-93 national championship as a player.
Henderson was a friend of Sayers and a counterpart at Portland State and Oregon State before he took the helm for his alma mater.
"We were asked to play in this memorial game in honor of a great friend," Sayers said. "It meant a lot to be here and I was happy for our team . We have worked really hard and they deserved to get a win."
