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

PUEBLO, COLO. -- Sophomore guard Alex Zennan (Sammamish, WA/Eastlake HS) scored 21 points and three other Bearcats chipped in 16 points apiece, leading Willamette University to an 86-57 victory over New Mexico Highlands University in the second round of the Al Kaly Shrine Classic. Willamette evened its record at 1-1, while NMHU dropped to 0-3 on the season.

Zennan connected on 6 of 9 field goals during the game, including 4 of 5 from 3-point range. She also went 5 for 5 at the free throw line and provided the Bearcats with six assists.

Molly Fillion (Sr., G, Silverton, OR/Silverton HS/Linn-Benton CC), Jenny Fillion (Sr., G, Silverton, OR/Silverton HS/Linn-Benton CC), and Tiana Abbley (Fr., G, Honolulu, HI/Kamehameha School) each hit the nets for 16 points. Molly Fillion also registered a game-high 14 rebounds. Kaileigh Westermann (Fr., Post, Belfair, WA/South Kitsap HS) contributed six points and eight rebounds for the 'Cats.

Oliana Seanoa topped New Mexico Highlands with 21 points on 8 of 22 shooting and 4 for 6 at the line. Valerie Cook tacked on 13 points and Pasha Cornish scored nine. The Cowgirls achieved a 53-50 rebounding edge, led by 13 boars from Cook.

Molly Fillion was selected as the Most Valuable Player of the tournament. She averaged 15.0 points and 10.5 rebounds in Willamette's two games. Other All-Tournament selections were Seanoa of New Mexico Highlands, Zennan of Willamette, Constance Rundles of Cameron University, Michelle Ambuul of CSU-Pueblo and Jonnie Draper of CSU-Pueblo. Zennan averaged 15.5 points, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game.

Willamette built a 38-26 lead in the first half, as the Bearcats limited NMHU to just 22.5% shooting (9 of 40). A basket and a free throw by Cornish pulled the Cowgirls within 32-26 entering the final minute of the half, but WU recorded the final six points of the opening period. Zennan completed the 6-0 run with a jumper with one second left on the clock.

The Bearcats opened the second half with a 12-5 run to take a 50-31 lead with 15:48 remaining in the contest. WU was in front by 20 or more points for most of the second half.

Willamette shot 42.9% from the field (24 of 56) and made 6 of 12 three-pointers. After shooting just three free throw attempts (2 for 3) in a 66-58 loss to Colorado State University-Pueblo on Friday (Nov. 21), the Bearcats went 32 of 44 (72.7%) at the line versus New Mexico Highlands.

NMHU finished the game at 25.6% from the field (21 of 82). The Cowgirls were just 3 of 19 on three-pointers (15.8%).

The 'Cats will return to action on Friday, Nov. 28 and Saturday, Nov. 29 at the College of Idaho Tournament in Caldwell, Idaho. Willamette is slated to take on College of Idaho on Friday at 7 p.m. (MST)/6 p.m. (PST), then face Eastern Oregon University on Saturday at 1 p.m. (MST)/12 p.m. (PST).