Reeves and Erbe Lead Boxers Past Bearcats, 84-59

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

FOREST GROVE, ORE. -- Rochelle Reeves scored 23 points and Julianne Erbe provided 20 points to lead Pacific University to an 84-59 victory over visiting Willamette University, in a Northwest Conference game at Pacific Athletic Center on Friday, Jan. 16. Pacific improved to 3-10 overall, 2-3 in the NWC, while Willamette dropped to 1-10 overall, 0-5 in the NWC.

Reeves and Erbe were joined in double figures by Brittney Anderson, who scored 12 points for Pacific. The Boxers claimed a 45-31 rebounding advantage, led by Erbe with 12 boards and Anderson with eight.

Alex Zennan (So., G/PG, Sammamish, WA/Eastlake HS) scored a career-high 29 points for Willamette. She was 10 of 20 from the field and sank four 3-pointers. She went 5 for 6 at the free throw line. Kaileigh Westermann (Fr., Post, Belfair, WA/South Kitsap HS) tallied 11 points and five boards for the 'Cats.

Molly Fillion (Sr., G, Silverton, ORSilverton HS/Linn-Benton CC), who entered the game as the Northwest Conference's leading scorer, was held without a point during the game. Fillion, also the NWC's top rebounder, finished with 10 rebounds on the night.

The Bearcats trailed 20-6 with 12:22 left in the first half. Pacific held its largest lead of the first half at 40-19, after Brittney Anderson hit one of two free throws with 1:06 remaining in the period. The Boxers were in front 40-22 at the intermission.

Reeves led all scorers at halftime with 11 points. Brittney Anderson added 10 points in the first half for the Boxers. Zennan was Willamette's top scorer in the first half with nine points.

Zennan scored the first four points of the second half on a pair of layups to pull Willamette within 40-26. After Reeves sank a layup for Whitworth, Zennan added another basket, giving her six points in the first 2:52 of the period.

The Boxers tallied the next five points to extend their lead to 49-28 with 15:16 remaining. Pacific outscored the Bearcats 44-37 in the second half.

WU shot just 20.7% (6 of 29) in the first half, but improved to 45.5% (15 of 33) in the second half. Pacific shot 48.3% overall and made 16 of 28 field goals (57.1%) in the second half. The Boxers were 24 of 29 at the free throw line during the game, while Willamette hit 11 of 16 free throws.

Willamette will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 17 with an NWC game at Lewis & Clark College. Tipoff in Portland, Ore., is scheduled for 6 p.m. (PST).