Bearcats Fall to Puget Sound in Northwest Conference Battle, 67-64

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

TACOMA, Wash. -- In a closely contested Northwest Conference women's basketball game on Friday, Jan. 8, the University of Puget Sound edged out Willamette University, 67-64, on the Loggers' home court at Memorial Fieldhouse. Puget Sound improved to 7-5 overall, 2-1 in the NWC. Willamette fell to 9-3 on the season, 1-2 in the NWC.

Neither team outscored the other by more than two points in any quarter. Puget Sound held the largest lead of the game at 13 points in the third quarter, but Willamette stormed back to hold the lead as late as 6:31 left in the game.

Emily Sheldon of UPS led all scorers with 19 points. She also hauled down 10 rebounds. alex Noren made 6 of 9 field goals on her way to finishing with 14 points, five rebounds, six assists and four steals for the Loggers. Claire Fitzgerald added 10 points for Puget Sound.

Kylie Towry (Jr./So., G, Medford, OR/South Medford HS) recorded a double-double for the Bearcats with 13 points and 11 rebounds.She scored on four 3-point shots. Towry earned three assists and two steals.

Alex Wert (Jr., F, Spokane, WA/St. George's HS) grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds and scored eight points for Willamette. Kelsey Walker (So., G, Westerville, OH/Westerville North HS) matched Towry with 13 points while hitting 4 of 6 three-pointers.

Willamette led 55-52 with 6:44 remaining in the game following one of Walker's 3-point baskets. The lead was one point after Sheldon put in a jump shot 13 seconds later.

UPS moved in front 56-55 on a pair of free throws by Allie Wyszynski at the 5:47 mark. The Loggers increased their advantage to 59-55 on a 3-pointer by Mikaela Limper with 5:24 to go.

The Bearcats pulled within a single point three more times, including 63-62 with 2:08 on the clock after two free throws by Wert. Noren added a basket for Puget Sound on a jumper with 1:26 left. After WU missed on two scoring chances, Sheldon tacked on a layup to give the Loggers a 67-62 margin with 38 seconds remaining.

A layup by Madi Andresen (So., F, Forest Grove, OR/Forest Grove HS) cut the lead to three points at the 25-second mark. Willamette had to foul four times before UPS reached the bonus, with Sheldon going to the line with 15 seconds left. She missed both free throws.

Willamette set up for a final offensive play. Mary Eckenrode (So., PG, Higley, AZ/Highland HS) took a 3-point shot with five seconds left, but Sheldon blocked the attempt and Noren rebounded for UPS.

The game featured seven ties and 11 lead changes. WU's largest lead of the game was at 13-9 following a 3-pointer by Towry with 3:26 left in the first quarter. The Bearcats trailed 20-19 entering the second quarter, but led 26-24 with 4:53 remaining in the half after Wert sank a layup.

Puget Sound scored the final five points of the second quarter on a layup by Noren and a jumper from Wyszynski for a 29-26 halftime advantage. Towry and Sheldon led their respective teams with 10 points each at the break.

The Loggers outscored the Bearcats 9-0 at the opening of the third quarter to start a 17-7 run for a 46-33 lead with 4:49 on the clock. Fitzgerald scored six points during the run, while Noren tacked on five and Sheldon contributed four.

Willamette responded with an 8-1 that reduced the margin to 47-41 with 2:26 left in the quarter. UPS held a 50-41 lead as the clock entered the final minute, but WU scored the last four points of the period to begin a 10-0 run. Walker completed the run on a 3-pointer to put the Bearcats up 51-50 with 7:54 to go in the game.

Puget Sound shot 43.3% on the night (29 of 67), but made just 4 of 20 three-pointers (20.0%). Willamette connected on 22 of 57 field goals (38.6%), including 12 of 26 on 3-point shots (46.2%). It was the third consecutive game in which Willamette made at least 11 three-pointers.

The Bearcats earned a 41-36 rebounding advantage, but committed 16 turnovers, while Puget Sound lost the ball seven times. The Loggers gained a 19-7 lead in points off turnovers.

Up next for WU is a home game against archrival Linfield College on Saturday, Jan. 9. Tipoff at Cone Field House is set for 4 p.m. (PST).