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

FOREST GROVE, ORE. -- Garold Howe scored 25 points and Joe Van Domelen added 21, as Pacific University concluded its home schedule with a 77-68 victory over Willamette University on Friday, Feb. 22. Pacific improved to 10-14 overall and to 8-7 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette dropped to 11-13 overall, 9-6 in the NWC.

The Bearcats were led by Kyler McClary (Jr., Post, Hillsboro, OR/Glencoe HS), who scored a career-high 30 points. He was 13 of 19 from the field. McClary also grabbed four rebounds and had two assists. Mike Smith (Sr., Wing, Ashland, OR/Ashland HS) provided the 'Cats with 11 points and was 4 of 7 from the field.

Howe connected on 9 of 14 field goals and was 6 for 6 at the line for Pacific. Van Domelen went 10 of 14 from the field, while Donn Harrison-Davis was just 4 of 11, but hit three 3-pointers and scored 15 points overall.

The Boxers shot 50.9% from the field (28 of 55), including 7 of 21 on three-pointers (33.3%). Pacific was 15 of 28 from the field (53.8%) in the second half.

Willamette shot 44.8% for the game (26 of 58), but made only 2 of 16 three-point tries (12.5%). The Bearcats committed just eight turnovers and forced 13 turnovers by Pacific.

The Bearcats will return to action on Saturday, Feb. 23, when the close out the regular season in Tacoma, Wash., against the University of Puget Sound. Game time is scheduled for 8 p.m. (PST).

Listed below are the Northwest Conference Tournament scenarios for Willamette:

If Willamette wins on Saturday at Puget Sound, the Bearcats will finish in a two-way tie for second place in the NWC with UPS or a three-way tie for second place with UPS and Lewis & Clark. Willamette would win either tie and take second place. If Lewis & Clark is part of the tie, then UPS would take third place. In both situations, Willamette would host UPS in the NWC semifinal on Thursday, Feb. 28.

If Willamette loses at Puget Sound and Linfield defeats Lewis & Clark, Willamette will win a tie for third place (3-1 in head-to-head with Linfield and L&C) and play at Puget Sound in the semifinal on Thursday, Feb. 28.

If Willamette loses at Puget Sound and Lewis & Clark defeats Linfield, Lewis & Clark will finish in third place, one game in front of Willamette.