Southern Oregon Upends Bearcats 68-59 at OIT Classic

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

KLAMATH FALLS, ORE. -- Junior guard Molly Fillion (Silverton, OR/Silverton HS/Linn-Benton CC) recorded her fourth double-double of the season with 24 points and 17 rebounds for Willamette University, but it wasn't enough to prevent the Bearcats from losing to Southern Oregon University, 68-59, on Friday, Dec. 7 at the Oregon Tech Classic. SOU improved to 5-2 overall, while Willamette dropped to 2-6.

Friday's first-round action concluded with Oregon Tech defeating Kwantlen University from British Columbia, 73-41. The schedule for Saturday's second round has SOU playing Kwantlen at 3:30 p.m. (PST), followed by the Bearcats taking on host Oregon Institute of Technology at 5:30 p.m. (PST).

In addition to recording her fourth double-double of the season, Molly Fillion also recorded 20 or more points for the fourth time and grabbed 10 or more rebounds for the sixth time. She is averaging 15.3 points and 12.5 rebounds per game since transferring from Linn-Benton CC this season.

Southern Oregon also received a double-double on Friday, as Jacki Speer scored 16 points and hauled down 15 rebounds for the Raiders. Rhiannon Dickison tacked on 15 points for SOU.

In the first half, both teams struggled from the field, as SOU shot 29.4% (10 of 34) and Willamette connected on just 25.7% of its field goal attempts (9 of 35). Southern Oregon led 14-6 with 12:22 remaining in the half, following a jumper by Ashley Baker. WU tallied the next five points, but SOU answered with a 7-2 run for a 21-13 lead at the 6:34 mark.

The Bearcats rallied again, as a three-pointer by Molly Fillion, and two free throws by Laura Payne (Sr., G, Sammamish, WA/Skyline HS) pulled WU within three points with 4:48 on the clock. Later, the 'Cats trailed by just two points, 24-22, after Erin Barclay (Fr., G, Snohomish, WA/Bothell Senior HS) recorded a basket with 1:58 left in the half.

Southern Oregon ended the half with a 6-0 run. Speer completed the run with a jump shot with nine seconds remaining.

The Raiders held a 30-22 lead at halftime. SOU scored the first basket of the second half to start a 13-2 run and take control of the game. Southern Oregon hit the nets for 50% success (16 of 32) during the final 20 minutes.

Willamette also improved its offensive efforts in the second half, as the Bearcats shot 41.2% (14 of 34). Southern Oregon achieved a 38-37 scoring advantage after the intermission.

SOU's run at the start of the second half extended the Raiders' lead to 43-24 at the 14:31 mark. WU trailed 63-41 with 6:46 remaining, but the Bearcats closed the contest with an 18-5 run.

Molly Fillion was joined in double figures for Willamette by her twin sister, Jenny Filliion (Jr., Silverton, OR/Silverton HS/Linn-Benton HS), who tallied 11 points and grabbed five rebounds. Molly Fillion was 8 of 14 on field goals, including 5 of 6 from three-point range.

Payne and Alex Zennan (Fr., G, Sammamish, WA/Eastlake HS) provided the Bearcats with four assists apiece. Zennan scored six points and Payne added five. Selena Levy (So., G, San Anselmo, CA/Sir Francis Drake HS) also tallied five points. Barclay led WU with three steals.

Southern Oregon achieved a 46-44 rebounding edge. Willamette committed 19 turnovers, while SOU lost the ball just 13 times. Dickison topped all players with four steals, helping SOU earn 12 steals overall.