Evans, Towry and Wert Lead Bearcats in 77-54 Win over Southern Virginia

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, Ore. -- Three Willamette University players reached double figures and the Bearcats dominated the boards in a 77-54 victory over Southern Virginia University on Tuesday, Dec. 15 at Cone Field House. Willamette advanced it record to 5-2 on the season, while the Knights fell to 1-7.

Ashley Evans (So., PG, Canby, OR/Canby HS) led the Bearcats with 14 points. Kylie Towry (Jr./So., G, Medford, OR/South Medford HS) and Alex Wert (Jr., F, Spokane, WA/St. George's HS) each tacked on 13 points. A total of 11 Willamette players saw action during the game and scored.

Evans sank four 3-point baskets and Towry hit a trio of 3-pointers for Willamette. Overall, the Bearcats made eight 3-pointers.

Willamette gained a 50-29 rebounding margin, including 22 offensive boards. Towry led the way with eight rebounds, while Madi Andresen (So., F, Forest Grove, OR/Forest Grove HS) hauled down seven boards. Wert and Kali Vickery (Fr., G, Glide, OR/Glide HS) each recorded six rebounds.

Jamilla Gambee led SVU with 13 points, while Shelby Winsor finished with 11 points. Autumn Cramer and Larissa Macfarlane were credited with five rebounds apiece.

WU scored the game' s first eight points, including one 3-pointer each by Towry and Evans. A bit later, the Bearcats extended the lead to 17-4 on a free throw by Racyne Parker (Jr./So., G, Klamath Falls, OR/Henley HS) with 3:11 left in the quarter. After Morgan Hartvigsen hit a 3-pointer for the Knights, Willamette went on a 5-0 run for a 22-7 led at the 2:04 mark.

The Bearcats were up 24-13 at the end of the first period. Willamette held a 16-point lead in the second quarter at 37-21 following a 3-pointer by Towry with 4:47 on the clock.

Southern Virginia countered with a 9-0 run that reduced the deficit to 37-30 with 28 seconds remaining in the half. The run included four points from Macfarlane and three points by Winsor.

After Mcfarlane completed SVU's run with two free throws, the Bearcats took over for the final possession of the half. Willamette ran down the clock before Torwy shot a 3-pointer with four seconds left. Her shot was good, giving WU a 40-30 halftime advantage.

The Knights got as close as nine points twice in the opening half of the third quarter, including 49-40 following a 3-pointer by Hartvigsen with 5:47 left.

Willamette then gained control of the game with a 14-1 run to end the period, giving the Bearcats a 63-41 lead. The run featured a foul shot and two baskets by Wert, plus a 3-pointer by Evans. Hamilton scored four points and Towry added two.

A layup by Evans with 7:54 remaining in the game gave WU a 69-43 advantage. The Bearcats led 75-50 following a pair of free throws by Celine Gregoire (Fr., F, Woodburn, OR/ Woodburn Academy) with 3:44 to go.

Willamette finished the night with 21 assists on 30 baskets. Evans supplied seven assists, with Towry earning five assists. WU shot 45.5% for the game (30 of 66) and made 8 of 25 three-pointers (25.0%).

Southern Virginia shot 34.5% overall (20 of 58), but hit just 31.0% in the second half (9 of 29). The Knights connected on 5 of 14 three-pointers.

The Bearcats will play again on Friday, Dec. 18 at California Institute of Technology. Game time in Pasadena, California, is set for 6 p.m. (PST).