Willamette Shoots 65% in First Half, Wins NWC Opener 67-60 at Pacific

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

FOREST GROVE, Ore. -- Kylie Towry (Jr./So., G, Medford, OR/South Medford HS) scored 18 points and Marisa Hamilton (Jr./So., F, Beaverton, OR/Southridge HS) added 13 points, as the Willamette University women's basketball team opened Northwest Conference play with a 67-60 victory at Pacific University on Friday, Dec. 5. The Bearcats improved to 4-1 overall, 1-0 in the NWC.

Willamette shot an impressive 65.4% in the first half (17 of 26), including 6 of 11 (54.5%) on three-point attempts. The Bearcats, who owned a 41-21 lead at halftime, remained in front by double digits for most of the second half. WU's shooting cooled off to 7 for 22 over the final two quarters, but the Bearcats finished at 50.0% for the game (24 of 48).

Pacific, which fell to 2-3 on the season and to 0-1 in the NWC, shot 38.7% for the game (24 of 62). The Boxers hit just 9 of 29 shots in the first two quarters.

Towry was 8 of 11 from the field and sank 2 of 3 shots from 3-point range. She also grabbed a team-high seven rebounds. Hamilton connected on 5 of 12 field goals, matched Towry with seven rebounds, blocked a shot and earned two steals.

Sarah Curl topped Pacific with 18 points to go along with six rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Karli McHone chipped in 16 points for the boxers and led the team with three 3-point baskets. Kyla Siri and Charli Elliott each grabbed eight rebounds, helping the Boxers claim a 33-32 rebounding edge.

The teams battled through the first most of the first quarter with one tie and six lead changes. Pacific led 7-6 following a jumper by Elliott, but WU countered with a 3-pointer by Mary Eckenrode (So., PG, Higley, AZ/Highland HS) with 2:59 on the clock to move back in front.

Pacific tied the game at 9-9 on a layup by Nikki Gilbert. Willamette scored eight of the next 10 points, starting with a 3-pointer by Towry, to take a 17-11 lead. The Bearcats held a 20-14 advantage at the end of the quarter after Whitney Anderson (So., G, Willamina, OR/Willamina HS) hit a 3-pointer with two seconds left.

Willamette tallied the first seven points of the second quarter to expand the margin to 27-14. The overall 10-0 run began with Anderson's 3-pointer in the first quarter and ended with a 3-pointer by Eckenrode. The Bearcats outscored the Boxers 21-7 during the quarter to build a 20-point halftime lead.

In the first half, Towry scored 11 points, Anderson added 10 and Hamilton provided nine. Anderson and Eckenrode each contributed two 3-pointers, while Towry and Hamilton tacked on one apiece.

Pacific claimed a 16-10 scoring magin in the third period. Even so, Willamette led 51-32 following a jumper by Alex Wert (Jr., F, Spokane, WA/St. George's HS) with 1:39 left. The Boxers ended the quarter with a 5-0 run to pull within 51-37. McHone started the run with a layup and a foul shot, while Curl put in a basket for the final two points.

Towry scored on a layup for WU to start the fourth quarter, but the Boxers recorded the next seven points to get within 53-44 on a layup by Siri at the 7:34 mark.

Willamette responded by scoring four consecutive points on a pair of free throws by Madi Andresen (So., F, Forest Grove, OR/Forest Grove HS) with 6:31 to go and a layup by Andresen with 5:59 left.

The Boxers eventually reduced the lead to nine points, 63-54, on a jumper by McKenna Mulder with 1:32 to play. Willamette sank 4 of 6 free throws in the final half-minute to secure the win.

Northwest Conference action continues for the Bearcats on Saturday (Dec. 5), when they will host Pacific Lutheran University at Cone Field House. Game time is set for 4 p.m. (PST).