Women's Basketball Game Night: WU Hopes to Slay Goliath

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

SALEM, ORE. -- The Bearcats of Willamette University will take on Northwest Conference opponent George Fox University in a women's basketball game on Friday, Feb. 12 at 8 p.m. (PST) in Salem, Ore. The game will follow the Willamette men's basketball game, which starts at 6 p.m.

Willamette is 3-19 overall and 1-11 in the NWC. George Fox is currently 19-2 overall and 12-0 in the NWC.

Previous Game

Willamette at Lewis & Clark

In a lengthy defensive battle, Lewis & Clark College defeated Willamette, 70-58. The two teams combined for 56 turnovers and 56 personal fouls in the game. Willamette actually outshot the Pioneers, connecting on 21 of 61 attempts (34.4%). L&C made just 18 of 58 shots from the field (31.0%).

However, the Pios were able to win thanks in part to free throws. Lewis & Clark converted 29 of 42 free throws, while Willamette made 13 of 21 charity shots.

Rebounding also proved to be a deciding factor in the contest. L&C outrebounded Willamette 60-41, including 29 offensive rebounds. The Pios are a strong, physical team and proved to be too much to handle for the Bearcats inside the paint.

Willamette was led by sophomore Kaileigh Westermann (Post, Belfair, WA/South Kitsap HS). Westermann had nine points and nine rebounds in the game. Guard Alex Zennan (Jr., Sammamish, WA/Eastlake HS) added ten points.

Junior post Shayna Glynn (Boise, ID/Capital HS/Walla Walla CC) and freshman guard Sophie Wilson (Port Townsend, WA/Port Townsend HS) came off the bench to contribute nine points and seven points, respectively.

Tonight's Opponent

George Fox University
Nickname: Bruins
Location: Newberg, Ore.
Affiliations: NCAA Division III, Northwest Conference
2008-09 Record: 32-0, 16-0, NWC and NCAA Division III National Champion
2009-10 Record: 19-2, 12-0 (1st place)
Last Meeting: GFU won, 74-54, on Jan. 15, 2010 in Newberg

Willamette will attempt to pull off a huge upset in Cone Field House, as the Bearcats take on the defending NCAA Division III National Champions from George Fox. GFU has not lost a regular season conference game since Feb. 15, 2008 against Lewis & Clark.

The Bruins are currently on a 15-game winning streak that dates back to Dec. 19, 2009. As a result of their accomplishments, GFU is ranked 5th in the latest D3hoops.com National Poll.

In the first meeting, Willamette shot the ball very well, going 22 of 49 (44.9%) from the field. WU held GFU to just 31.9% shooting (23 of 72). Despite a strong shooting performance, Willamette lost the game due to a lack of rebounding plus excessive fouling by the Bearcats (22 total).

The Bearcats continue to show glimpses of great basketball but have yet to string together great play for an entire game. Willamette must attack the basket and create opportunities to score inside and at the foul line. More importantly, the Bearcats must win the battle of the boards.

George Fox is led by sophomore Keisha Gordon. Gordon averages 14.9 points per game. Freshman Hannah Munger adds 11.4 points and 7.9 rebounds per game.

Bearcat Fast Breaks

* Alex Zennan ranks 4th in the Northwest Conference in scoring with 14.5 points per game.

* Keilyn Fujioka ranks 3rd in the conference with 8.4 rebounds per game.

* As a team, Willamette ranks 2nd in the NWC in blocked shots per game (4.32).

* Zennan has made 56 three-point shots this season, good for third place in Willamette history for 3-point shots made in a single season. Zennan needs to make seven more 3-point shots in the three remaining games to tie for second place (63).

* The Northwest Conference has two teams in the latest D3hoops.com Top 25. George Fox is ranked 5th and is currently 19-2 overall and 12-0 in the NWC. Puget Sound is ranked 18th. The Loggers are 18-3 overall and 10-2 in the NWC.