George Fox, Ranked #2, Pulls Away from Willamette, 78-46

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

NEWBERG, Ore. -- Justine Benner scored 24 points to lead three George Fox University players in double figures, as the Bruins extended a 49-39 lead with 3:40 left in the third quarter into a 78-46 victory over Willamette University on Tuesday, Feb. 16 at Wheeler Sports Center. GFU, ranked #2 in the D3hoops.com Top 25, remained undefeated at 24-0 overall and 15-0 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette slipped to 12-12 on the season, 4-11 in the NWC.

Benner hit 10 of 15 field goals and made 4 of 6 free throws. Also providing double-digit scoring for George Fox were Sammy Naluai with 14 points and Tavin Headings withi 12. Headings was 4 for 6 on 3-point shots.

Marisa Hamilton (Jr./So., Beaverton, OR/Southridge HS) led Willamette with 15 points on 6 of 9 shooting and 3 for 3 at the line. Whitney Anderson (So.), Willamina, OR/Willamina HS) scored nine ponits and hit a trio of 3-point shots.

The Bruins scored the first four points of the game, but Willamette countered with a 10-0 run. Anderson hit a 3-point shot with 7:05 on the clock, then Hamilton added a 13-foot jumper on the baseline. Kylie Towry (Jr./So., G, Medford, OR/South Medford HS) put in a 3-point basket, and Hamilton scored on a reverse layup with 3:26 left in the opening quarter for a 10-4 lead.

George Fox ended the quarter with 10 points in the last 1:56. Four players scored during the run, including a 3-point shot by Nicole Blizzard and a traditional three-point play by Naluai. The Bruins held a 14-10 lead entering the second period.

At the start of the second quarter, GFU added seven consecutive points for a 21-10 advantage. Naluai hit a 3-pointer, while Kimberly Frost and Benner each scored on a layup. Willamette ended a 5:26 scoring drought when Racyne Parker (Jr./So., G, Klamath Falls, OR/Henley HS) sank a jump shot with 8:00 remaining in the half.

Parker's shot opened a 6-2 surge by the Bearcats that pulled Willamette within 23-16 at the 6:00 mark. A bit later, WU cut the margin to seven points again at 28-21 following a jumper by Hamilton.

GFU put together a string of 11 unanswered points to extend the lead to 39-21 with 1:51 to go in the second quarter. Naluai tallied four points during the run. Willamette recorded the last five points of the half on 4-foot jumper and a foul shot by Hamilton plus a 15-foot jumper by Parker with three second left.

Three-pointers by Anderson and Ashley Evans (So., PG, Canby, OR/Canby HS) offset a pair of two-point baskets by the Bruins and moved Willamette within 43-32 early in the second half.

After George Fox increased its lead with two consecutive baskets, the Bearcats went on a 5-0 run to cut the margin to 47-37 with 4:20 left in the third quarter. Madi Andreson started the run with a layup assisted by Alex Wert (Jr., F, Spokane, WA/St. George's HS). Anderson scored next on a 3-pointer from the right elbow.

The Bruins scored 10 of the final 12 points of the third quarter for a 57-39 advantage. GFU's offiensive outburst started wiht a turn-around jumper and a layup by Benner.

George Fox shot 60.0% (15 of 25) in the second half to finish at 51.7% for the game (31 of 60). The Bruins converted 9 of 11 free throws (81.8%). Willamette shot 43.5% in the first half (10 of 23), but slipped to 28.0% (7 fo4 25) in the second half.

WU hit 6 of 19 three-pointers (31.6%). GFU was 7 of 26 from 3-point range (26.9%). The Bruins achieved a 35-27 rebounding margin, led by Benner with eight boards. Andresen, Towry and Anderson each grabbed five rebounds for the Bearcats. Towry topped WU with five assists.

The Bearcats will close out the season on Friday, Feb. 19 against Lewis & Clark College. Game time is set for 6 p.m. (PST). Willamette needs a win to finish the year with a winning record. Earlier in the season, WU defeated the Pioneers 64-57 in Portland, Oregon.