Bearcats to Host Undefeated Montana State-Northern on Thursday, Dec. 4

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University will take on undefeated Montana State University-Northern in women's basketball on Thursday, Dec 4 at Cone Field House. It is the Bearcats' final game prior to the Holiday Break. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. (PST).

MSU-Northern, which competes in the NAIA, is off to an 11-0 start. The Bearcats, who compete in NCAA Division III, are 3-3 on the season.

The Skylights of MSU-Northern bring significant height to the court. Their top scorer, senior forward A'Jha Edwards, is 6'5" and has averaged 14.5 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. The roster also includes senior forward Taybra Teeters, who is 6'0" and has contributed 5.6 points and 4.1 rebounds per game, primarily off the bench.

In addition, freshman forward Makhayla Farmer is 6'2". Farmer has scored 4.5 points per game and his 21 of 35 on field goals (60.0%). Natalee Faupel (So., G/F), at 5'10", has achieved 13.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. As a team, MSUN is shooting 47.1% from the floor, while limiting opponents to 30.1% shooting.

The Bearcats also have two players averaging in double figures.

Jojo DeLong (Sr., PG, Santa Clarita, CA/Canyon HS) leads the way with 15.0 points per game. She also has supplied Willamette with 6.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.0 steals per game. Kylie Towry (Fr., G, Medford, OR/South Medford HS) has scored 14.3 points per game to go along with 3.0 rebounds per game.

Katie Kalugin (Sr., G, Woodburn, OR/Woodburn HS) has provided additional scoring and rebounding strength. After recording consecutive double-doubles against Northwest Christian University and Concordia University (Ore.), Kalugin is averaging 8.7 points and 7.2 boards per contest.

Willamette has connecting on 9.0 three-pointers per game. Towry tops the chart with 25 three-point baskets on 51 attempts and is shooting 49.0% from 3-point range.

Towry is 11 of 13 on free throws (84.6%). Julia Brand (Sr., F, Kaneohe, HI/Punahou School) is 8 for 8 at the charity stripe, helping WU shoot 73.2% (71 of 97) as a team at the free throw line.

The Bearcats have passed the ball well on offense and have earned 86 assists in just six games for an average of 14.3 assist per game. DeLong ranks first on the team with 32 assists, while Ashley Evans (Fr., Canby, OR/Canby HS) has provided 12 and Towry has achieved 11.

After hosting MSU-Northern, the Bearcats will not play again until Dec. 19 and Dec. 20, when they will play at the Hoop N Surf Classic in Honolulu, Hawaii. On Dec. 19, Willamette will play Wheaton College (Mass.) at 9 a.m. HST/11 a.m. PST). On Dec. 20, the Bearcats will compete against Lake Forest College (Ill.) at 4 p.m. HST/6 p.m. PST.