By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communication

SALEM, Ore. -- Ryder Hsiung (Jr., G, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) hit three 3-point baskets in overtime to lead Willamette University to a 101-92 victory over Misericordia University on Tuesday, Dec. 19 at Cone Field House. Willamette improved to 5-4 with the win. Misericordia dropped to 6-3 on the season.

Hsiung's 3-pointers scored the Bearcats' first nine points of overtime as Willamette took a 92-86 lead. After Hsiung tacked on two free throws and D'Ante Dean (Jr., F, Nassau, Bahamas/British Columbia Christian Acad./Peninsula College) added a layup at the 2:21 mark, the Bearcats held a 96-86 margin. The Cougars pulled within six points twice, including 98-92 on a layup by Nate Kreitzer with 1:05 to go. A 3-point basket by Josiah Frank (Jr., G, Turlock, CA/John H. Pitman HS) with 37 seconds left clinched the win.

Frank led six Bearcats in double figures, as he provided 23 points on 8-of-12-shooting and 6 for 6 at the free throw line. It was the second-highest total for Frank, trailing only his career high of 28 points in a 98-95 overtime win over Linfield University on Jan. 3, 2023. Following Frank on WU's scoring chart against the Cougars were Jack Boydell (Grad., W, Sonoma, CA/Sonoma Valley HS) with 16 points and Kahiau Bruhn (So., W, Waimanalo, HI/Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama) with 14 points. 

Boydell is Willamette's leading scorer this season with 16.3 points per game. He has scored 1,200 career points.

Hsiung and Gavin Weisweaver (Jr., G, Boise, ID/Vallivue HS/Treasure Valley CC) each contributed 13 points for the Bearcats. Caleb Moore (So., G, Wadley, GA/Washington County HS/Bard College) achieved 11 points and was 7 for 7 on free throws.

The Bearcats found key scorers throughout the game. Boydell led all players with 14 points in the first half. Frank scored 12 points in the second half and added five points in overtime. Bruhn produced 11 points in the second half and Hsiung scored 11 points during overtime.

Willamette held a 47-45 rebounding edge on the Cougars, led by a trio of Bearcats. Hsiung, Dean, and Moore each hauled down 10 rebounds, while Bruhn grabbed five boards. Moore also earned six assists and five steals, while Dean blocked two shots.

Misericordia's top scorers were Nick Hornung and Derek Smith, each with 17 points. Kreitzer chipped in 16 points and Kevin Lazdowsky provided 15 points. Nick Prociak scored 11 points. Lazdowsky led the Cougars with nine rebounds. Hornung latched onto seven rebounds, while Prociak and Joseph Baldachino grabbed six boards apiece. Lazdowsky and Dewin Conception each blocked two shots.

Boydell scored the first five points of the game and the Bearcats owned an 11-3 advantage just two minutes into the game on a 3-pointer from Weisweaver. Misericordia cut the margin to 17-15 on a 3-point basket by Kreitzer at the 14:50 mark. Later, a basket and foul shot by Weisweaver gave Willamette a 28-20 margin with 10:20 to go in the half.

The Cougars gradually rallied and took a 32-31 lead on a 3-point shot by Baldachino with 5:41 remaining. Willamette trailed 35-31 and 40-36, but moved in front 43-42 on a pair of free throws by Moore with 44 seconds on the clock. A bit later, Frank was fouled as time expired and made both free throws to give the Bearcats a 45-42 halftime advantage.

Misericordia claimed a 50-49 lead with 16:41 left in the game when Smith made two free throws. The Cougars gradually increased their lead to 62-52 on a pair of free throws by Hornung with 14:00 to play. Bruhn ended the 20-7 run with a 3-pointer for WU 14 seconds later.  A layup from Frank pulled the Bearcats within 63-61 at the 10:39 mark. The Bearcats trailed by a slim 74-73 margin after Frank put through a jump shot with 4:49 left.

Hsiung tacked on a free throw and WU claimed a 76-74 lead on a layup by Kahiau with 3:13 to play. The Bearcats eventually extended the margin to 81-74 on a pair of free throws by Boydell with 2:14 remaining. The Cougars rallied to tie the score at 81-81 with a 3-pointer from Hornung with 1:26 left.

Two free throws by Lazdowski with 53 seconds on the clock pushed MU in front 83-81. Frank tied the score with a layup at the 41-second mark. On Misericordia's next possession, Lezadowsky missed on a 3-point attempt. Smith rebounded the ball for the Cougars, but Boydell stole the ball from Baldachino seconds before the game moved into overtime.

Hsiung's first 3-pointer in overtime was scored with 4:22 to play. After Hornung answered with a 3-pointer for MU with 4:06 remaining, Hsiung completed his 3-point barrage with baskets at 3:49 and 3:21.

Willamette shot 39.8% from the field (33 of 83) and made 10 of 27 three-pointers (37.0%). The Bearcats excelled at the line, where WU converted 25 of 28 free throws for 89.3%. Misericordia hit  27 of 71 field goals (38.0%) and connected on 15 of 37 three-pointers (40.5%). The Cougars sank 23 of 29 free throws (79.3%).

The Bearcats forced Misericordia into 18 turnovers, while Willamette lost possession just seven times. WU held a 42-20 lead on points in the paint, earned a 29-7 edge in fast-break points, and a 44-18 margin in bench scoring.

Willamette will return to action on Saturday, Dec. 30 at Cone Field House when the Bearcats host Portland Bible College. Game time is set for 4 p.m. (PST).