Coward Registers Exceptional Stats Line, but Pioneers Down Bearcats, 81-75

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

PORTLAND, Ore. -- It's been a tremendous season individually for Willamette University first-year men's basketball player Cedric Coward (Fresno, CA/Central HS). The Bearcats' game at Lewis & Clark College on Friday, Feb. 11, was no different. Coward scored 25 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, blocked six shots, dished out five assists, and earned two steals against the Pioneers, while hitting 9 of 15 field goal attempts. Even so, L&C defeated the Bearcats 81-75 behind 19 points each by Brenden Patrick and Jack Henderson.

The Pioneers moved to 9-12 on the season, 3-10 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette slipped to 6-15 overall, 3-10 in the NWC.

Coward now has earned 16 double-doubles this season. He is averaging 18.7 points and 12.1 rebounds per game, while shooting 60.9% from the field. His season totals include 393 points, 255 rebounds, 85 assists, 61 blocks, and 29 steals.

In addition to Coward, the Bearcats placed Jack Boydell (Jr., F, Sonoma, CA/Sonoma Valley HS) and Jonathan Watts (Sr., W, San Diego, CA/Rancho Bernardo HS) in double figures against the Pioneers. Boydell achieved 15 points to go with five boards and two blocks. Watts registered 10 points and hauled down five rebounds. Ryder Hsiung (Fy., G, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) contributed six points, while Jordan Pearce (So., P, Meridian, ID/Meridian HS) grabbed four rebounds and Daniel Plumer (Jr., PG, North Las Vegas, NV/Democracy Preparatory Academy) supplied three assists.

Patrick and Henderson provided L&C with more than just 19 points apiece. Patrick sank 9 of 14 field goals, and also recorded six rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Henderson latched onto 11 rebounds, and was credited with two assists and two steals. Sam Henderson chipped in 15 points, eight boards, and three assists for the Pioneers, while Ryan Cibull tacked on 10 points and five assists.

The game included four ties and nine lead changes in the first 7:25. Coward scored the first basket of the night with 19:29 to go in the half. The team soon started exchanging baskets. WU held an 8-6 lead on a layup by Watts with 15:49 to go, and Lewis & Clark owned a 12-10 lead on a 3-pointer by Sam Henderson just under a minute later. The advantage switched back to Willamette at 13-12 when Coward put through a layup and added a free throw with 14:35 on the clock.

L&C regained the lead at 15-13 on a traditional three-point play by Patrick at the 12:35 mark. It seemed unlikely at the time, but the Pioneers kept the lead for the remainder of the game by holding off several rallies by the Bearcats. The three-point play from Patrick started a 10-0 run for the Pioneers which resulted in a 22-13 advantage with 10:33 to play before the break. WU got back within one possession with 8:52 left in the half, as a 3-pointer by Joshua Perez (Jr., W, Los Angeles, CA/John Marshall HS) reduced the margin to 24-21.

The Pioneers expanded the margin to 37-26 with 3:48 on the clock, after Patrick completed a 13-5 run with a layup. The Bearcats responded with an 11-5 run, reducing the lead to 42-37 on a pair of free throws by Boydell with 47 seconds to go. Lewis & Clark was in front 44-39 at the break.

Coward hit two free throws early in the second half to pull WU within 44-41. L&C put together a 12-1 run for a 56-42 lead with 15:01 remaining in the game. Jack Henderson scored eight of the first nine points for the Pioneers during the run. Willamette battled back within six points at 70-64 at the 7:14 mark on a dunk by Coward just seconds after he grabbed a defensive rebounds. L&C eventually extended the lead to 76-66 on two free throws by Jack Henderson with 2:58 to go.

A final comeback by Willamette reduced the deficit to just three points at 78-75 with 45 seconds on the clock after Coward scored, was fouled, and hit the free throw. Cibull sank 1 of 2 free throws for the Pioneers with 20 seconds remaining for a 79-75 edge. Boydell's 3-point attempt for the Bearcats with 14 seconds to play was off target and Jack Henderson added a basket for L&C with seven seconds left.

Lewis & Clark was 32 of 68 on field goals (47.1%), but connected on just 5 of 22 three-pointers (22.7%). The Bearcats were 26 of 66 on field goals (39.4%), including 8 for 23 (34.8%) on 3-point shots. The Pioneers attained a 42-34 rebounding margin, but WU committed just 11 turnovers, while L&C lost the ball 13 times.

Willamette will play at George Fox University on Saturday, Feb. 12. Game time in Newberg, Oregon, is scheduled for 6 p.m. (PST).