Loggers Defeat Willamette, 70-50, in NWC Women's Basketball

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Jocelyn Riordan scored 16 points to lead the University of Puget Sound to a 70-50 victory over Willamette University at Cone Field House on Saturday, Feb. 21. Puget Sound concluded the regular season with a 17-8 overall record, 11-5 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette finished its season at 4-18, 3-13 in the NWC.

Riordan was joined in double figures for UPS by Caitlyn Faidley, who contributed 12 points. Natasha Ludwig added nine points and nine rebounds for the Loggers.

Willamette was led by Erin Barclay, who scored 14 points. Molly Fillion tallied 11 points to go with four rebounds and three assists. Keilyn Fujioka (So., Post, Kailua, HI/Iolani School) provided WU with nine points and six boards, while Alex Zennan scored eight points and grabbed four rebounds.

Both teams shot nearly the same percentage from the field, with UPS hitting 39.7% and Willamette making 40.9%. Even so, the Loggers ended the game with five more baskets than the Bearcats, as UPS hit 23 of 58 shots and Willamette sank 18 of 44. UPS gained its extra attempts by forcing more turnovers (29-20) and grabbing more offensive rebounds (19-10).

The opening half included four ties and four lead changes in the first 7:32. After Willamette forced the final tie at 11-11 on a 3-pointer by Zennan.

Puget Sound moved in front on a free throw by Faidley at the 12:08 mark. Faidley missed the second charity shot, but Natahsa Ludwig rebounded the ball and scored for the Loggers. UPS also owned a three-point lead, 21-18, after Nicki Clowdsley (So., Post, Sammamish, WA/Skyline HS) of Willamette put in a layup with 5:08 on the clock.

The Loggers recorded the next eight points on a jumper by Riordan and back-to-back 3-pointers by Courtney Blume. USP went into the intermission with a 33-24 advantage.

WU started the second half with a 6-2 run to move within five points, 35-30, with 17:50 to go. Fujioka scored four points during the run.

Puget Sound responded with a 10-0 offensive surge of its own. Claire Ely, who finished the game with six points, six rebounds and six assists, completed the run with a pair of free throws for a 45-30 lead with 13:53 remaining. The Loggers stayed in front by double digits the rest of the game.

UPS outrebounded the Bearcats, 24-17. Ludwig's game-high nine rebounds were nearly matched by teammate Karen Chase, who hauled down eight boards. The Loggers also gained an edge in free throws, hitting 17 of 24 shots (70.8%) at the line. WU converted 9 of 15 free throws.

Molly Fillion (Sr., G, Silverton, OR/Silverton HS/Linn-Benton CC) and her twin sister, Jenny Fillion (Sr., G, Silverton, OR/Silverton HS/Linn-Benton CC), each played in her final game for the Bearcats. Molly Fillion finished the season averaging 14.0 points and 10.8 rebounds per game to lead the NWC in both categories.

Jenny Fillion averaged 8.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game during the season. She recorded six assists against the Loggers on Friday. The Fillions, who were the only seniors on the squad this year, were honored for their contributions to the WU basketball program prior to the game.