Bearcats Fall to Pioneers, 61-43

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

PORTLAND, ORE. -- Allison Farr scored a game-high 19 points and recorded three steals, as Lewis & Clark College pulled away from Willamette University in the second half for a 61-43 Northwest Conference victory on Saturday, Jan. 19. Lewis & Clark improved to 7-8 overall, 3-3 in the NWC, while Willamette fell to 3-12 on the season, 1-5 in the NWC.

Molly Fillion (Jr., G, Silverton, OR/Silverton HS/Linn-Benton CC) led the Bearcats with 12 points and 12 rebounds, while playing all 40 minutes, but it wasn't enough for WU to overcome strong defense by the Pioneers in the second half. Lewis & Clark held Willamette to just 21.9% shooting (7 of 32) over the final 20 minutes.

Fillion was joined in double figures by her sister, Jenny Fillion (Jr., G, Silverton, OR/Silverton HS/Linn-Benton CC), who tallied 10 points and contributed five rebounds. Tracie Nygaard (Sr., F, Knappa, OR/Knappa HS) provided the Bearcats with eight points and four boards.

Laura Payne (Sr., G, Sammamish, WA/Skyline HS), who entered the game averaging 13.6 points per game for the 'Cats, was limited by the Pioneers to just two points on 1 of 9 shooting. Payne contributed in other ways, as she grabbed six rebounds and supplied three assists.

Farr was the only Pioneer in double figures, as she pushed her career total past the 1,000-point mark. Kelly Vega and Crystal Castle produced nine points apiece, while Laura Snider chipped in seven points. Castle and Sara Kettler led L&C on the glass with five rebounds each.

The Bearcats led 13-10 just over 12 minutes into the first half, but the teams were tied at 18-18 later in the period. Lewis & Clark moved ahead in the closing minutes of the half to take a 27-22 lead at the break.

Molly Fillion was Willamette's top player in the first half with five points and six rebounds. Lewis & Clark was led by Farr in the opening period, as she put in seven points for the Pioneers.

L&C opened the second half with a 6-0 run to take a 33-22 lead. Nygaard ended the run by hitting the second of two free throws with 16:55 remaining in the game.

The Pioneers extended the lead to 14 points, 47-33, when Farr scored and added a free throw with 6:03 left. Farr tacked on two more charity tossed at the 5:38 mark to increase the margin to 16 points.

Willamette reduced the deficit to 51-39, when Jenny Fillion put through a 3-pointer with 4:48 left. The Bearcats were unable to get closer during the rest of the game.

The Bearcats shot 43.5% (10 of 23) from the field in the first half, but slipped to 30.9% for the game (17 of 55), after Lewis & Clark shut down WU's offense in the second period. The Pioneers, who shot 48.1% in the second half (13 of 27), finished the game at 39.3% (24 of 61).

Both teams struggled from 3-point range, as WU connected on 5 of 18 shots (27.8%) and L&C went 2 for 10. At the free throw line, Willamette converted 4 of 10 shots, while the Pioneers hit 11 of 15 (73.3%). L&C achieved a 44-41 rebounding lead and forced 18 turnovers by Willamette.

The Bearcats will return to the court on Friday, Jan. 25, when they host Pacific University in Salem, Ore. Game time at Cone Field House is slated for 6 p.m. (PST).