Three WU Players Reach Double Digits, as Cats Defeat Lutes, 69-56

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Jenny Fillion scored 18 points, Alex Zennan added 16 points, and Molly Fillion contributed 12 points and 12 rebounds, as the Willamette University Bearcats defeated the Lutes of Pacific Lutheran University, 69-56, in a Northwest Conference game on Friday, Jan. 30. Willamette improved to 3-13 on the season, 2-8 in the NWC. Pacific Lutheran dropped to 10-8 overall, 4-5 in the NWC.

Pacific Lutheran received 14 points and eight boards from Emily Voorhies. Nikki Scott provided the Lutes with 13 points on 6 of 13 shooting, including one 3-pointer.

Willamette led by as many as 11 points in the first half at 20-9 with 13:02 remaining in the period. Pacific Lutheran battled back before halftime, but Willamette never gave up the lead and owned a 30-28 edge at the intermission.

In fact, the Bearcats led from start to finish. WU held between a four-point and a six-point lead early in the second half, but took a 40-30 advantage following a layup by Molly Fillion at the 14:38 mark.

PLU pulled within six points, 44-38, on a layup by Voorhies with 11:55 to go. The 'Cats answered with a 5-0 run on two jumpers by Keilyn Fujioka (So., Post, Kailua, HI/Iolani School) and a free throw by Kaileigh Westermann (Fr., Post, Belfair, WA/South Kitsap HS).

The Lutes trailed by nine points, 51-42, with 8:57 on the clock, but WU regained a double-digit lead when Zennan put in a 3-pointer with 7:13 remaining. The Bearcats were in front by at least 10 points the rest of the way.

Willamette shot 41.8% for the night (23 of 55) and made 3 of 12 three-pointers. PLU achieved one more basket, but shot just 38.1% (24 of 63) from the field. The Lutes made 2 of 16 trifectas.

A strong night at the free throw line helped WU claim victory. The 'Cats were 20 of 23 (87.0%) at the charity stripe, including 16 of 19 in the second half. Pacific Lutheran made 6 of 10 free throws.

WU also forced 20 PLU turnovers. Jenny Fillion led the Bearcats with four steals and also registered a game-high eight assists.

Trinity Gibbons paced PLU with five assists and tied with Voorhies for the team lead in rebounds with eight, helping the Lutes claim a 44-30 edge on the glass. Voorhies grabbed seven of PLU's 18 offensive boards.

Willamette does not play again until Friday, Feb. 6 at Whitworth University. Game time in Spokane, Wash., is slated for 6 p.m. (PST)