By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- The Willamette University men's basketball team leads the Northwest Conference in scoring and is ranked seventh in NCAA Division III with 88.5 points per game. The Bearcats have had eight players lead the team in scoring -- or tie for the lead -- during at least one game.
The list of scoring leaders includes Jack Boydell (Grad., W, Sonoma, CA/Sonoma Valley HS), D'Ante Dean (Jr., F, Nassau, Bahamas/British Columbia Christian Acad./Peninsula College), Josiah Frank (Jr., G, Turlock, CA/John H. Pitman HS), Ryder Hsiung (Jr., G, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School), Caleb Moore (So., G, Wadley, GA/Washington County HS/Bard College), Gavin Rippere (Sr., F, Salinas, CA/Salinas HS/Clark College), Anujan Tennathur (Fy., G, Cupertino, CA/Saint Francis HS), and Gavin Weisweaver (Jr., G, Boise, ID/Vallivue HS/Treasure Valley CC).
Boydell, Frank, and Hsiung top the list with at least four games as the leading scorer or tied for the scoring lead. All three are among WU's season scoring leaders as well, with Frank averaging a team-high 16.4 points per game, Boydell in second at 15.0 points per contest, and Hsiung in third with 12.2 points per game.
Willamette's success has been earned with a combination of solid returning players, a core of multi-talented newcomers, players recovering from injuries, and first-year Head Coach Michael Lenahan. The result has been a team playing with a purpose and a group that has depth at several positions.
Boydell, now in his fifth season with the Bearcats, has seen WU go through a year with just four games due to COVID-19 in 2020-21, as well as four losing seasons. This year, however, the Bearcats have attained an 11-7 overall record and a 6-4 mark in the Northwest Conference. Willamette is part of a three-way tie for third place in the NWC standings. The top four teams at the end of the regular season will qualify for the NWC Tournament.
"Going through COVID and other struggles the last few years has taught us the importance of being persistent in the work we do every day while also being patient to allow our work to pay off when it's supposed to," Boydell said. "The journey to success always has its ups and downs. It's never linear, and our togetherness as a team allows us to embrace the adversity we face."
Boydell, Frank, and Hsiung were teammates in 2021-22 and 2022-23 when the Bearcats finished 5-19 and 6-18. All three players really appreciate the increased success in 2023-24.
"Competing in conference means everything to me, and I know that it means everything to the team as well," Boydell noted. "We are looking forward to the rest of conference play and competing for a championship."
"It means a lot to me that our team is doing so well and keeping up with the top teams in the conference," Hsiung commented. "We put in so much time in the summer/offseason and it's great to see that the work is showing on the court. We must keep the same intensity and competitiveness so we have a chance to participate in the conference tournament."
"The team is so competitive, especially with the new adjustments at the beginning of the year," Frank agreed. "We have shown how driven and motivated we were as a team coming into the season."
Statistics have been impressive for the Bearcats. Willamette is averaging 8.9 three-point baskets per game and the Bearcats are shooting 73.7% at the free throw line. Boydell leads the NWC with 91.5% free throw shooting (54 of 59). In addition, WU has earned 41.0 rebounds, 15.5 assists, 9.6 steals, and 2.6 blocks per game.
Willamette has shot over 50.0% from the field in eight games. The Bearcats have scored 80 or more points 13 times, including four games with more than 100 points.
"We have many players who can share the scoring load because of how unselfish we are," Hsiung affirmed. "We don't have egos. If we see someone who is making shots, we will keep feeding them. It gives opponents a tough time on defense because we have so many players who can score on any given night. This team has a lot of depth as well because we have many good returning players, but also some very confident first-year players. Practices are always competitive."
"Everyone on the team works extremely hard and is committed to doing what's best for the team ... that includes starters, bench players, and those who are unable to play this year," Boydell noted. "Coach Lenahan and the coaching staff do an excellent job giving us the tools and putting us in positions to be successful where everyone is capable of contributing."
The result has been a high-scoring team that keeps improving on offense and defense while creating a solid record through 18 games.
"We've been fortunate so far to accomplish two of our mini-goals for on-the-floor success this season ... a winning non-conference record and a winning first half of conference play, Lenahan commented. "We've been able to do that because the team has bought into a focus on 1% improvement each day, the way we compete each day in practice, and how together we are as a group. Those things have been reflected in our play on the floor. It is pretty rare for a team with as many talented players as we have to be as unselfish and willing to accept different roles each game as our group is, and that makes this group special.
"It feels like every game someone different steps up massively, whether it's leading the team in scoring, creating extra possessions with rebounding or playing lock down defense," Lenahan added.
In many ways, the team's success has been created through each player's increased confidence in their own skills as well as the skills of their teammates. Depth has also been important because the Bearcats have been able to continue playing well at both of the court even when substitutions occur.
"I think a lot of the players have been able to share the scoring lead because of the work we have put in prior to the season," Frank said. "I believe we all trust each other when we are playing, and we want to see our teammates do well on the court. Our team has developed so much depth this season because everyone has gained more confidence in themselves and with one another."
Willamette scored the second-highest total in school history in a 129-44 win over Portland Bible College on Dec. 30. The 85-point margin set a school record, and the team's 21 successful 3-point shots during the game placed third all-time. The Bearcats set a school record with 24 steals in an 89-60 victory against Douglas College (Canada) on Dec. 9.
Boydell recently hit the 175th 3-pointer of his career to tie Paul Scott (1988-92) for first place at Willamette. Boydell has scored 1,325 points and is 27 points away from WU's Top 10.
The wins, high scores, accuracy on field goals and free throws, as well as the school record have made the 2023-24 version of the Bearcats fun to watch.
"We have some players on our team who battled with COVID-19 and many losing seasons," Hsiung noted. "Through those losing seasons, we have learned so many lessons. With the coaching change, and guys believing in each other, we were given an opportunity to win many games. It feels great to see the success that the Willamette basketball programs, both men's and women's, are having this season."
Perseverance and improvement have played huge roles in Willamette's move toward success.
"Coming in as a first-year my role was to mainly be a shooter, but my game has developed to where I can be a versatile player on both ends of the floor," Boydell said. "I think I've improved most in how I approach the game ... from workouts in the weight room and taking care of my body, to being a leader for others and understanding the mental side to performance."
"I think COVID-19 placed a lot of changes and challenges in everyones life," Frank recalled. "Those seasons during and after that time were tough on the team's morale but we never quit on the game that we love and on each other. That's what makes this season so special because of the bonds we have created.
"As a player, I have developed tremendously," Hsiung said. "This being my third year playing college basketball, I feel more comfortable and the game feels slower to me. My passing skills have improved the most because now we have more scorers on our team. I try to get them involved because I really want my teammates to succeed. Passing comes with trust. I trust all my teammates to make the right play or shot. We are going to need everyone to contribute if we want to become one of the best teams in the conference."
The Bearcats appreciate the support of their fans. Willamette will play four of its final six regular season games at home starting with a match-up against Pacific Lutheran University on Friday, Feb. 2. Tipoff at Cone Field House is set for 8 p.m. PST.
