Fifth-Ranked George Fox Defeats Bearcats, 84-42

By Sara Brooks, Assistant Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6219

SALEM, ORE. -- George Fox University connected on 15 of 32 three-point shots, as the Bruins defeated Willamette University, 84-42, at Cone Field House on Friday, Feb. 12. George Fox, ranked #5 in the D3Hoops.com Top 25, improved to 20-2 overall, 13-0 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette fell to 3-20 on the season, 1-13 in the NWC.

B.B. Gardner led GFU with 14 points, while Elise Kuenzi added 13 points. Keisha Gordon earned 10 points, nine rebounds and five assists.

For Willamette, Keilyn Fujioka (Jr., Post, Kailua, HI/Iolani School) scored 14 points and was 7 of 15 from the field. Kaileigh Westermann (So., Post, Belfair, WA/South Kitsap HS) finished with seven points and 11 rebounds for the Bearcats.

Sophie Wilson (Fr., Guard, Port Townsend, WA/Port Townsend HS) continued to show improvement for the Bearcats. Wilson scored seven points against the Bruins. She has recorded 21 points in the past three games.

Sophomore Maya McFaddin (G, McMinnville, OR/McMinnville HS) pulled down seven rebounds for WU. Willamette was outrebounded 48-41 by the Bruins.

George Fox continued to shoot the ball well, as they have all season. The Bruins shot 44.6% from the field and 46.9% from the 3-point line. Willamette had several good looks at the basket in the first half but was unable to finish the open shots. The Bearcats ended the game with field goal percentage of 24.6% (16 of 65) and a 33.3% 3-point shooting percentage (3 of 9).

The Bruins, who have now won 16 straight games against the Bearcats, moved within one win of clinching at least a share of their fourth straight Northwest Conference women's basketball title.

Willamette will finish off the season with back-to-back games against Pacific Lutheran University and Pacific University. The Bearcats beat PLU earlier this season for their only NWC victory. WU will go for the season sweep of the Lutes on Friday, Feb. 19 in Tacoma, Wash. Willamette will return home to face the Boxers on Saturday, Feb. 20. Game time each night is set for 6 p.m. (PST).