Third-Quarter Surge Leads Pacific Past Willamette, 59-57, in Women's Basketball

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, Ore. -- A 14-2 run to begin the third quarter helped Pacific University overcome a six-point halftime deficit as the Boxers rallied for a 59-57 victory over Willamette University in Northwest Conference action on Saturday, Jan. 30 at Cone Field House. The Boxers outscored the Bearcats 17-6 in the third quarter and stayed in front throughout the fourth quarter.

Pacific improved to 9-10 overall and to 4-6 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette fell to 12-7 on the season, 4-6 in the NWC.

Karli McHone led the Boxers with 19 points and hit 5 of 10 three-point shots. Kyla Siri tacked on 14 points and six steals. Sarah Curl contributed 13 points. Siri, Curl and Charli Elliott each grabbed six rebounds for Pacific.

Whitney Anderson (So., G, Willamina, OR/Willamina HS) topped the Bearcats with 13 points, including a team-high three 3-point baskets. Anderson also tied Ashley Evans (So., PG, Canby, OR/Canby HS) for the team lead with five assists.

Joining Anderson in double figures were three Willamette players. Marisa Hamilton (Jr./So., F, Beaverton, OR/Southridge HS) scored 12 points, while Kylie Towry (Jr./So., G, Medford, OR/South Medford HS) finished with 11 and Madi Andresen (So., C, Forest Grove, OR/Forest Grove HS/Clackamas CC) recorded 10.

The Boxers took a 10-5 lead on a 3-pointer by Jillian Ross, and later held a 15-8 advantage following a 3-pointer by Siri. Willamette scored the final points of the first quarter on a 3-point shot by Anderson with 1:42 on the clock. Pacific led 15-11.

Layups by Anderson and Andresen allowed the Bearcats to tie the score at 15-15 just over one minute into the second quarter.

After the teams each tacked on a basket, the Bearcats went on an 8-0 run. Andresen started the run with a layup, then Anderson added 3-pointers with 5:18 and 4:22 left in the half, as WU took a 25-17 lead.

Pacific eventually pulled within 30-26 on a jumper by Kaela Collins with 53 seconds remaining in the quarter. Racyne Parker (Jr./So., G, Klamath Falls, OR/Henley HS) of WU scored on a jump shot 20 seconds later to give the Bearcats a 32-26 margin at the break.

The offensive surge by Pacific at the start of the second half included three 3-point baskets by McHone. Pacific forced Willamette into four turnovers during the run which resulted in five points for the Boxers. At the end of the run, Pacific owned a 40-34 lead with 5:51 left in the third quarter.

Willamette answered with a 3-pointer by Towry at the 4:11 mark. Alex Wert (Jr., F, Spokane, WA/St. George's HS) added 1 of 2 free throws for the Bearcats with 1:09 on the clock to move WU within two points at 40-38.

McHone registered her fourth 3-pointer of the quarter nine seconds later, extending the Boxers' lead to 43-38.

Collins added a jumper to open the fourth quarter, as Pacific gained a seven-point margin. The Bearcats received consecutive baskets from Hamilton to reduce the lead to 45-42 with 8:34 on the clock. Later, Pacific was in front 49-43 following a layup by Curl with 5:35 left.

Willamette trailed by just four points after Anderson scored on a jumper with 2:56 remaining, but jumpers by Curl and Siri gave Pacific a 55-47 margin with 1:38 to go. WU gradually reduced the lead, getting within two points on a 3-pointer by Wert with seven seconds left.

McHone secured the win for the Boxers by hitting two free throws at the 4-second mark for a 59-55 lead. Towry scored on a layup for Willamette just before the final buzzer.

For the game, Willamette shot 48.8% from the field (21 of 43), including 12 of 23 in the first half for 52.2%. Pacific connected on 40.0% of its shots (22 of 55), but took advantage of 13 offensive rebounds and scored 14 points off 17 Willamette turnovers. Each team hit 8 of 19 three-pointers.

The Bearcats claimed a 28-27 rebounding edge. Wert led the Bearcats with eight boards, while Hamilton grabbed five.

Willamette will take on archrival Linfield College on Friday, Feb. 5 in McMinnville, Oregon. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. (PST).