Warner Pacific Pulls Away from Bearcats, 82-50

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

PORTLAND, ORE. -- Warner Pacific and Willamette University were tied 37-37 at halftime, but the Knights dominated the second half to defeat the Bearcats, 82-50, in a non-conference women's basketball game on Friday, Dec. 11. Warner Pacific improved to 5-5 on the season, while Willamette dropped to 2-6.

The Knights outscored Willamette 45-13 during the second half. Warner Pacific started the period with a 23-0 run for a 60-37 advantage. WU didn't record its first points of the final 20 minutes until Lauren Vannini (Fr., G, Bellevue, WA/Newport HS) scored on a layup with 9:12 remaining in the game.

WPC made 57.1% of its shots in the second half (16 of 28), while Willamette connected on just 25.0% of its field goals (6 of 24) following the halftime break. It was quite a change from the first half.

Willamette played a solid opening 20 minutes, as the Bearcats shot 51.7% (15 of 29) from the field and limited Warner Pacific to just 28.6% shooting (12 of 42). WU hit 6 of 9 three-pointers during the half, while Warner Pacific sank 7 of 17 long-range shots.

The Bearcats owned an 11-4 advantage following a 3-pointer by Alex Zennan (Jr., G, Sammamish, WA/Eastlake HS) with 15:22 left in the opening half. The Knights went on a 14-5 run to move in front, 18-16, on a layup and foul shot by Cameryn Calhoun at the 10:11 mark.

Warner Pacific eventually claimed a 37-32 lead with 1:10 remaining in the half. Marissa Towry launched a successful 3-point shot to create the five-point lead.

Zennan countered with a 3-pointer for WU with 34 seconds on the clock. Keilyn Fujioka (Jr., Post, Kailua, HI/Iolani School) tied the score on a layup at the 7-second mark.

For the game, Calhoun led Warner Pacific with 18 points. The Knights received 13 points from Shayla Fetters and 12 points from Towry, who also earned three assists and a game-high four steals. Maya Gross grabbed eight rebounds, while Katie Allen contributed seven boards.

Zennan topped Willamette with 16 points and eight rebounds. She was 5 of 7 on three-pointers. Fujioka finished with 18 points, five rebounds and four assists.

WU was 21 of 53 on field goals during the game (39.6%) and made 7 of 12 three-pointers (58.3%). The Bearcats converted 1 of 5 free throw attempts in limited opportunities at the line. Warner Pacific shot 40.0% for the game (28 of 70), including 9 of 24 on three-pointers (37.5%). The Knights connected on 17 of 22 free throws (77.3%).

Warner Pacific achieved a 46-34 advantage on the boards. Willamette committed 29 turnovers, while WPC lost the ball 16 times.

The Bearcats will return to action on Monday, Dec. 28, when they will host Concordia University (Ore.) at Cone Field House. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. (PST).