Willamette will Battle #1-Ranked Whitworth on Friday, Play at Whitman on Saturday

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University men's basketball team, which won both of its games last weekend, returns to action by taking on Whitworth University, the #1-ranked team in this week's NCAA Division III Poll released by D3hoops.com. The Bearcats will battle the Pirates on Friday, Feb. 11 at 8 p.m. (PST) in Spokane, Wash. Willamette will conclude the week by playing Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash., on Saturday, Feb. 12 at 8 p.m.

You can follow the action on both nights through the Willamette Audio Webcast, with Mike Allegre providing the play-by-play and production services supplied by Full Access Sports. Each night, the Audio Webcast will begin at approximately 7:45 p.m. (PST) or shortly after the Audio Webcast of the Willamette women's basketball game.

The game against the top-ranked Pirates on Friday also will feature a free Video Webcast provided by Whitworth University with footage from a live TV broadcast in the Spokane area. In addition, Whitworth will post Live Stats during the game.

On Saturday, Whitman will include Live Stats on its website. For persons willing to pay a fee, Whitman also plans to provide a Video Webcast.

Willamette is currently 6-15 on the season, including 3-9 in the Northwest Conference. The Bearcats defeated Linfield College, 90-88, on Feb. 4 and downed Pacific University, 80-76, on Feb. 5.

In the win over Linfield, Taylor Mounts (Jr., Wing/Post, Kailua, HI/Iolani School) hit a 3-point shot with 1.4 seconds remaining to send the Bearcats past the Wildcats. Against Pacific, freshman guard Trevor Box (Lakewood, CA/St. John Bosco HS) sank two free throws with five second left to secure the win and create the final score.

Whitworth has earned its #1 ranking with a 21-0 overall record and a 12-0 mark in the NWC. Whitman enters the weekend with a 15-6 record, 8-4 in the NWC.