By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications, (503) 370-6110
SALEM, Ore. -- The process of rebuilding the women's basketball program at Willamette University began when Peg Swadener was hired as head coach prior to the 2012-13 season. One of Swadener's first recruits was Kylie Towry (Sr., G, Medford, OR/South Medford HS), who was a freshman one year later in 2013-14. Now, Swadener is in her sixth season, Towry is competing as a senior in her fifth season after receiving a medical hardship waiver, and the Bearcats are 14-9 overall, 10-4 in the Northwest Conference, after clinching their first winning season record since 2000-01.
Towry is one of six seniors on the Willamette team this year. Four of her fellow seniors all arrived at WU for the 2014-15 season, one year after Towry suffered a season-ending knee injury just eight games into her collegiate career. They were Whitney Anderson (Sr., G, Willamina, OR/Willamina HS), Ashley Evans (Sr., PG, Canby, OR/Canby HS), Celine Gregoire (Sr.Jr., P, Woodburn, OR Woodburn Academy), and Kelsey Walker (Sr./Jr., G, Westerville, OH/Westerville North HS). Gregoire was injured in 2014-15 and first played for the Bearcats in 2015-16. Mary Eckenrode (Sr., G, Higley, AZ/Highland HS) transferred to Willamette from Colorado Christian University prior to the 2015-16 season.
It has been a significiant climb for the Bearcats. Willamette was just 1-24 in 2011-12. In Swadener's first season, the Bearcats went 2-23 in 2012-13. In Towry's first year in 2013-14, Willamette picked up two more wins to 4-21, and in 2014-15, with Towry back to full strength, the Bearcats were 7-18.
"Peg continued to talk to me throughout her first season and always reminded me it was only the beginning for the program," Towry said. "My high school program went through a similar struggle until a new coach came in and changed the program. I saw it change over time and believed Peg could do the same thing at the next level."
Willamette nearly surged above the .500 mark in 2015-16 and 2016-17, finishing 12-13 both seasons. Progress for the Bearcats was almost certainly slowed by the overall strength of the Northwest Conference, which typically sends two or three teams to the NCAA Division III Tournament.
"Finishing just under .500 the last two seasons was something we always talked about as a team since we missed it by just a game or two," Towry noted. "We talked about what we needed to do to take it to the next level of accomplishing our team goal, which was to make it to postseason play. Each day we hold each other accountable to remind us where want to go."
This year, despite a very difficult non-conference schedule, the Bearcats have clinched a winning season with two regular season games to go. The Bearcats also have clinched a third place finish in the NWC regular season standings and the #3 seed in the NWC Tournament. Willamette will close out the regular season at #9-ranked Whitman College on Friday, Feb. 16 at 6 p.m. (PST) and at Whitworth University on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 4 p.m.
"Peg and the entire coaching staff have taught us all a ton, and it has been exciting watching us implement new skills into games," Walker said. "Being able to build off of each previous season has been extremely beneficial in our growth. Missing a .500 record in the past was just all the more motivation for this season."
The top four teams in the NWC will qualify for the postseason event. Semifinals will be hosted by the higher seeds on Thursday, Feb. 22, with the championship game set for Friday, Feb. 24 on the home court of the higher remaining seed.
"I think we made great improvements in those years (2015-16, 2016-17) and that's how we got to where we are now," Anderson said. "It feels so good to finally accomplish our goal of making it to the conference tournament. It has been a very fun season. Not only are we playing well, but we are getting along well as a team, and it doesn't get much better than that."
"We never gave up and continued working hard despite just missing a winning record two years in a row," Eckenrode added. "We came together this season on and off the court. It has been one of my most fun years of playing basketball ever. Celebrating in the locker room after wins, the entire trip to Hawaii (for two games in December), and sweeping multiple teams in conference play were times I will never forget."
For Towry, the decision to use her medical hardship waiver and compete in a fifth season with the Bearcats was an important choice to make. The chance to go after a winning record one final time was part of the choice, but it wasn't the only important factor. Getting to play one more season with her teammates was a huge motivation to return this season.
"Having one more year of eligibility was always in the back of my mind, and once the season ended last year I knew I wanted more time with the team," Towry commented. "Memories and experiences like this don't happen very often and I wanted to take advantage of the time I could have with our team. This season has been a blast. We really came together, especially in our close games, and getting three overtime wins show our heart and determination to keep on fighting. We met one of our team goals this year to make it to the tournament, and now it's time to reach further in order to make it beyond the conference tournament."
Towry has improved throughout her career at the same time that the team has improved. She has added to her abilities on both offense and defense, and is now one of the top players in the NWC. She is tied for first place with Casey Poe of Whitman College for the NWC scoring lead with 17.6 points per game. She ranks first in the NWC with 63 three-point baskets and is eighth with 67 assists.
Along the way, she has set several Willamette career records. She is the Bearcats' all-time leading scorer with 1,368 points and ranks first in WU history with 282 successful 3-point shots. She also is listed first in career 3-point attempts (723) and total field goals attempted (1,124). Towry is second in career free throw shooting (80.2%), fourth in total field goals made (450) and career 3-point percentage (39.0%), and sixth in career assists (257).
Fellow senior Evans also ranks among Willamette's career 3-point shooting, free throw and assists leaders. Evans is fourth in career 3-point baskets (167) and is fifth in 3-point attempts (443). She is the career leader in free throw shooting at 80.8%. She is eighth with 245 assists.
Towry and Evans are tied for first all-time at Willamette for the most 3-pointers made in a game. Towry sank nine 3-point shots against California Institute of Technology on Nov. 21, 2014. Evans put though nine 3-pointers against Warner Pacific College on Nov. 15, 2016.
This year, Willamette has made 173 three-point baskets as a team, led by Towry's 63. Evans has contributed 54 three-pointers, while Britanny Kochenderfer (Jr., G, Klamath Falls, OR/Henley HS/Idaho State Univ.) has added 29 and Eckenrode has made 14. The Bearcats rank 29th in NCAA Divisin III in total 3-pointers made and are 31st in 3-pointers made per game (7.5 avg.).
The Bearcats are 8-2 in games decided by six points or less, including 6-1 in the NWC. Three of the 10 games were decided in overtime, where Willamette has earned a 3-0 record.
Much of the team's success in close games has occurred because of the tremendous efforts provided by the six seniors. They have provided exceptional play in the fourth quarter and overtime throughout the season, and they have battled to win each game and attain a winning overall record.
"It's been so much fun this season playing good team basketball with confidence," Walker said. "Building relationships and supporting each other is what has gotten us to this point."
"Each and every one of my teammates brings a unique and essential part to our team," Anderson commented. "Everyone on the team has a natural work ethic, and that's something special."
"Having six seniors provides our team with lots of experience and we try to use our experience to help and support others," Towry said.
"We have become a family over the years," Eckenrode stated. "Some of these girls are my closest friends. What's made this year so fun and enjoyable has been the bond of sisterhood we have as teammates ... having so much success with my best friends."
