Malley Scores 28 Points, but Montana Tech Pulls Away from Bearcats, 78-62

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

BUTTE, MONT. -- Senior guard Terrell Malley (Portland, OR/Roosevelt HS) scored a career-high 28 points for Willamette University, but Adam Gregor tallied 26 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead Montana Institute of Technology to a 78-62 win over the visiting Bearcats on Friday, Nov. 30.

Montana Tech, which competes in NAIA Division I, improved to 6-3 on the season, while Willamette, which competes in NCAA Division III, dropped to 2-3.

In addition to leading the Bearcats in scoring, Malley tied the school record for free throw shooting percentage in a single game. He made 11 of 11 free throws to match the 13 previous times that a Willamette player hit 100% of his free throws with at least 10 attempts.

Three players have made 13 of 13 free throws in one game for WU, most recently Cameron Mitchell ('10) against Whitman College on Feb. 7, 2009. Rob Andrus ('07) was 13 for 13 against George Fox University on Feb. 9, 2007, and Russ Sovde ('90) sank 13 for 13 versus Pacific on Jan. 16, 1990.

Ryan Meehan ('12) made 12 of 12 free throws against George Fox University on Feb. 9, 2011. Malley is the third Bearcat to go 11 for 11 at the line, joining Mike Ward ('93) versus Pacific on Nov. 21, 1992 and Brian Mahoney ('93) versus Western Oregon University on Dec. 11, 1992.

Malley was the only Bearcat in double figures against Montana Tech. Elliot Babcock-Krenk (Sr., Wing, Lake Oswego, OR/Lake Oswego HS/Humboldt State Univ.) and Sam Walters (Jr., Wing, Tacoma, WA/Stadium HS) each scored six points.

Noah Ripley (Jr., Post, Springfield, OR/Springfield HS) led Willamette with six rebounds. Brandon Luedtke (Fr., Post, Meridian, ID/Mountian View HS) grabbed five boards.

Gregor's 26 points allowed him to lead three players with double-digit scoring for Montana Tech. Travis Peevy achieved 11 points, while Bryan Bock tallied 10 points.

The Orediggers gained a shooting advantage, finishing at 41.3% from the field (26 of 63), while limiting WU to 32.8% field goal accuracy (20 of 61), including 29.0% in the first half (9 of 31). Willamette hit just 8 of 28 three-pointers (28.6%) during the game.

Montana Tech also struggled from 3-point range, as the Orediggers made just 5 of 17 attempts (29.4%). Willamette sank 14 of 21 free throws (66.7%), while Montana Tech converted 21 of 35 free throws (60.0%).

Willamette was called for 29 total fouls, including 18 in the first half. Montana Tech finished the game with 17 fouls. No one fouled out for either team.

Malley scored first on a 3-pointer just 31 seconds into the game. The Orediggers answered with an 8-0 run on its way to a 13-6 lead with 15:12 remaining in the half. WU cut the margin to 13-10 on a fast-break basket by Joseph Jackson (So., G, Hillsboro, OR/Hillsboro HS).

Montana Tech earned seven of the next nine points for a 20-12 advantage. Willamette battled back within 20-17 at the 10:39 mark and trailed by just four points, 28-24, after Mally hit a 3-pointer with 7:50 left. Ripley provided a rebound and a put-back at 7:22 to cut the lead to 28-26.

WU also trailed by just two points at 30-28 following two free throws by Malley, but the Orediggers went on a 9-0 run to increase the margin to 11 points. Gregor scored five points during the run.

Malley recorded a basket and a foul shot with 1:52 on the clock to pull the Bearcats within 39-31 at the break.

The Orediggers led throughout the second half. Willamette cut the deficit to just five points on three occasions, including just six seconds into the half, when Babcock-Krenk sank a 3-pointer.

Willamette also trailed by five points at 51-46 following a 3-pointer by Walters with 12:11 left and at 54-49 on an basket and free throw by Malley with 11:07 to go.

Montana Tech tallied five consecutive points for a 59-49 lead on an inside shot by Daniel Smith and a 3-pointer by Peevey. WU pulled within 62-55 on another three-point play from Malley with 7:14 remaining. The Orediggers countered with a 14-2 run for a 76-57 lead with 2:19 on the clock.

Willamette is set to play at Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Mont., on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m. MST/6:30 p.m. PST.