Willamette Improves to 7-2 on Season with 53-35 Victory at Whittier

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

WHITTIER, Calif. -- Willamette University held Whittier College to just 18.5% field goal shooting, as the Bearcats earned their third win in five days with a 53-35 victory over the Poets on Saturday, Dec. 19 at the Graham Athletic Center. Willamette advanced its record to 7-2 on the season, while Whittier dropped to 2-5.

The Bearcats defeated Southern Virginia University, 77-54, on Tuesday (Dec. 15) at Cone Field House and then won at California Institute of Technology on Friday (Dec. 18), 69-36. Willamette is allowing opponents only 55.8 points per game.

In Saturday's win at Whittier, Alex Wert (Jr., F, Spokane, WA/St. George's HS) led the Bearcats with 11 points on 5 of 89 shooting. Ashley Evans (So., PG, Canby, OR/Canby HS) supplied eight points, eight rebounds, five assists and three steals.

Also for Willamette, Marisa Hamilton (Jr./So., F, Beaverton, OR/Southridge HS) contributed seven points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Mary Eckenrode (So., PG, Higley, AZ/Highland HS) scored seven points, and Whitney Anderson (So., G, Willamina, OR/Willamina HS) grabbed six rebounds.

Carly Buechler topped Whittier with eight points and four steals. Amia Thrash tallied seven points and grabbed six boards. Ana Youngblood earned six points and a team-high eight rebounds.

The Poets hit just 12 of 65 field goals during the game, including 3 of 28 attempts (10.7%) in the first half. Willamette's defensive success in the first two quarters helped the Bearcats build a 27-10 halftime lead.

Whittier owned a 6-4 advantage with 5:02 left in the first quarter after Calry Buechler and Amia Thrash connected on 3-point baskets. The Bearcats tied the game on a jumper by Hamilton and moved in front when Wert hit 1 of 2 free throws at the 4:20 mark.

The Bearcats tacked on another eight points to complete an 11-0 run. Evans hit a 3-pointer, Hamilton completed an old-fashioned three-point play, and Wert provided a jumper, giving WU a 15-6 lead with 54 seconds on the clock. Daniza Rodriguez of Whittier put in a free throw with 12 seconds left.

Willamette outscored the Poets 12-3 in the second period. Whittier recorded the first point of the session on a field goal by Kaylah Alexander. The Bearcats responded with nine unanswered points for a 24-8 lead with 1:36 remaining in the half.

Celine Gregoire (Fr., F, Woodburn, OR/ Woodburn Academy) scored four points during the run, while Kelsey Walker (So., G, Westerville, OH/Westerville North HS) hit a 3-pointer and Eckenrode sank two free throws. Whittier ended its scoring drought on a layup by Alexander with 1:17 to go. Towry sank a 3-pointer for Willamette with one second left.

The Poets pulled within 13 points at 29-16 by starting the second half with a 6-2 run. Willamette followed with a 7-0 run of their own for a 36-16 advantage and Whittier never got closer than 16 points the rest of the game.

Willamette connected on 36.1% of its field goals (22 of 61), including 41.2% (12 of 29) in the second half. The Bearcats went 5 for 17 on 3-point shots and converted 4 of 9 free throws. Whittier was 8 for 14 at the charity stripe.

The Bearcats achieved a 55-43 rebounding margin. In the team's three wins during the week, Willamette ourebounded its opponents by an average of 16.0 boards per game.

Up next on Willamette's schedule is a game against Northwest Christian University at Cone Field House on Saturday, Jan. 2. Game time in Salem, Oregon, is set for 5 p.m. (PST). WU will host New Hope Christian University on Monday, Jan. 4 at 7 p.m.