PORTLAND, ORE. -- Warner Pacific College scored 44 points in the second half to pull away from a 26-26 halftime tie and defeat visiting Willamette University, 70-54, on Tuesday, Nov. 20 on the C.C. Perry Gym. The Knights took 71 shots compared to 48 shots for the Bearcats, as Warner Pacific forced Willamette into 31 turnovers. WPC improved to 2-2 on the season, while Willamette fell to 1-2.
Molly Fillion (Jr., G, Silverton, OR/Silverton HS/Linn-Benton CC) recorded her second double-double in three games for the Bearcats, as she scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Laura Payne (Sr., G, Sammamish, WA/Skyline HS) led the 'Cats in scoring with 19 points. Jenny Fillion (Jr., G, Silverton, OR/Silverton HS/Linn-Benton CC) recorded nine rebounds.
Warner Pacific placed just one player in double figures, but Danica Wilson provided more than one-third of the Knights' scoring. She hit the nets for 25 points,while making 11 of 19 field goals. Meghan Ainsworth contributed nine points and a team-high 10 rebounds for WPC.
Molly Fillion scored the game's first basket, but Warner Pacific scored eight of the next 10 points to take an 8-4 lead with 14:13 left in the opening period. The Knights extended the lead to six points at 12-6, following a field goal by Stephanie Rider at the 11:11 mark.
The Bearcats trailed by five points, 18-13, with 6:20 to go in the half, but used an 11-4 run to move in front, 24-22. Willamette tied the scored on a free throw by Payne with 2:42 on the clock, then edged past the Knights on two more free throws by Payne at the 2:10 mark.
WPC scored the next two field goals to claim a two-point advantage. Molly Fillion tied the game for Willamette by hitting two free throws with 28 seconds left, sending both teams in the break with 26 points.
The Bearcats hit 10 of 13 free throws (76.9%) during the first half, but made just 9 of 18 charity shots in the second half. Warner Pacific went 1 for 2 at the line over the first 20 minutes, then sank 12 of 19 free throws (63.2%) in the second half. The Knights also connected on 16 of 35 field goals (45.7%) after the intermission.
WU shot just 25.0% from the field in the first half (7 of 28), but nearly matched Warner Pacific in the second half by hitting 9 of 20 shots (45.0%). Even so, the Bearcats couldn't overcome their turnover difficulties, as WPC took 15 more shots than Willamette in the final 20 minutes. During the game, Warner Pacific was credited with 15 turnovers, less than half as many as the Bearcats.
The Knights registered the first six points of the second half and built a nine-point lead, 36-27, in the first three minutes of the period. Willamette pulled within 40-36 at the 12:33 mark on a free throw Nicki Clowdsley (So., C, Sammamish, WA/Skyline HS).
WPC countered by scoring the next eight points to start a 10-1 run. The Knights led 50-37 with 8:58 remaining and maintained a double-digit lead the rest of the game.
Willamette will play its home opener on Saturday, Nov. 24, when the Bearcats host Concordia University, also from Portland, Ore. Game time at Cone Field House is set for 7 p.m. (PST).
BOX SCORE
Warner Pacific College 70, Willamette University 54(Game totals only; play-by-play not available; originally recorded in a different computer program)
Laura Payne led Willamette with 19 points against Warner Pacific.
