Towry Sets Career 3-Point Record, as Bearcats Roll Past Walla Walla, 88-56

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM Ore. -- Kylie Towry (Sr./Jr., G, Medford, OR/South Medford HS) set the Willamette University record for career 3-point baskets on Saturday, Nov. 26, while helping the Bearcats outscore Walla Walla University, 88-56, at Cone Field House. Towry set the record with 7:13 left in the second quarter on the second of her five 3-pointers during the game.

Towry now has 178 three-pointers, breaking the record of 174 held by both Alex Zennan ('11) and Amy Ulrey ('96). The record-setting shot by Towry gave the Bearcats a 30-13 lead.

Willamette is now 5-0 on the season, matching the Bearcats' best start since 1999-00, when the team won its first five games. Walla Walla fell to 2-4.

The Bearcats scored the first nine points of the game on a layup and a foul shot by Towry, a 3-pointer by Towry and a 3-pointer by Ashley Evans (Jr., PG, Canby, OR/Canby HS). WU extened the lead to 13-2 on a jumper by Madi Andresen (Jr., P, Forest Grove, OR/Forest Grove HS/Clackamas CC) with 4:36 left in the opening quarter.

Walla Walla pulled within 13-7 after a jumper and a foul shot by Morgan Stanyer with 2:27 on the clock. Sarah Heinly (Fr., G, Bend, OR/Summit HS) scored the final five points of the quarter on a layup and a 3-pointer to give Willamette an 18-7 advantage.

The Bearcats led 24-9 following a jumper by Celine Gregoire (So., P, Woodburn, OR/ Woodburn Academy) at the 9:47 mark of the second quarter. After the Wolves reduced the deficit to 11 points with jumpers by Stanyer and Alyssa Blankenship, the Bearcats went on an 11-0 run for a 35-13 lead. Willamette was in front 44-25 at halftime.

The Wolves pulled within 15 points at 49-34 with 6:58 remaining in the third quarter on a 3-pointer by Lexi Ehler, but Walla Walla never got as close later in the game.

For Willamette, Towry scored 20 points in 17 minutes played. She was 7 of 12 from the field and 5 of 9 on 3-pointers. Heinly led the Bearcats with 23 points off the bench, including five 3-pointers. Gregoire tallied 11 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and earned five assists.

Mary Eckenrode (Jr., PG, Higley, AZ/Highland HS) supplied WU with six points, eight rebounds and five assists. Evans led all players with four steals.

Blankenship was Walla Walla's top scorer with 22 points. Stanyer added 11 points and Ehlers finished with 10. Sierra Briggs and Emily Downs each grabbed eight rebounds for the Wolves.

Willamette connected on 36 of 70 field goals (51.4%), and made 13 of 27 three-point shots (48.1%). The Bearcats outrebounded the Wolves 43-27. Walla Walla was 22 of 58 on field goal shooting (37.9%), including 6 of 18 on 3-pointers (33.3%).

The Bearcats are shooting 45.5% from the field and 42.0% from 3-point range this season. WU is averaging 12 three-point baskets per game. Towry leads the way with a total of 24 three-pointers (4.8 avg.).

Willamette will play at home again on Friday, Dec. 2 in the Northwest Conference opener against Whitman College. Game time at Cone Field House is scheduled for 6 p.m. (PST).