CMS Women's Basketball Falls in Season Opener

SALEM, Ore. - Renee Chong (17) and Ariana Dalia (16) had big games in their CMS debuts, but it wasn't enough as the CMS women's basketball team fell 76-59 to Willamette in its season opener on Friday night.

Chong shot 6-11 from the floor off the bench to finish with 17 points, while Dalia, a transfer from Bates, had 16 points on 5-9 shooting. Sadie Heckman added eight points on 3-4 shooting off the bench. 

CMS led 24-22 with four minutes left in the half after a Chong layup, but Willamette had a 10-0 run to take the lead for good. Ava Grey made a three-pointer to stop the momentum for a moment, but the Bearcats made four foul shots in the final minute of the half to take a 36-27 lead into the break.

Dalia started the second half with a basket to close CMS to within seven, and then made a three-pointer to close to within four midway through the third quarter. A Chong three-point play made it 46-43 with 2:28 left in the third, but the Bearcats closed on a 10-0 run to take a 56-43 lead into the fourth and then stretched the run to 14-0 with the first fourth points of the final stanza. 

CMS will be back in action on Sunday when it faces Pacific in a game that will be held at George Fox.