By Sara Brooks, Assistant Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6219

SALEM, ORE. -- Senior guard Claire Ely scored 27 points, leading the University of Puget Sound past Willamette University, 76-33, on Friday, Feb. 5 at Cone Field House. Puget Sound improved to 18-3 overall, 10-2 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette fell to 3-17 overall, 1-10 in the NWC.

In addition to leading UPS in scoring, Ely also topped the Loggers with five assists and four steals. Willamette was led by junior guard Alex Zennan (Sammamish, WA/Eastlake HS), who scored 10 points.

Willamette had a long scoring drought that started with 7:05 remaining in the first half and did not end until the 13:27 mark in the second half. Puget Sound went on a 25-0 run during that time. The Bearcats were never able to recover.

Offensively, Willamette struggled to connect on open shots. The Bearcats moved the ball well but could not finish easy shots inside. Willamette shot 26.8% (15 of 56) for the game, while Puget Sound managed to shoot 38.6% (27 of 70).

The Bearcats were outrebounded by UPS, 53-36. Offense rebounds by the Loggers accounted for 10 second chance points.

Kaileigh Westermann (So., P, Belfair, WA/South Kitsap HS) scored six points and pulled down seven rebounds for the Bearcats. Junior point guard Erin Barclay (Snohomish, WA/Bothell HS) finished the game with five points, six rebounds and four assists.

Ely of Puget Sound was joined in double figures by Jocelyn Riordan, who finished the game with 13 points and 14 rebounds. Riordan led all players with three 3-point baskets.

Willamette did not attempt a free throw during the game. Meanwhile, the Loggers went 11 for 20 from the charity stripe. The Bearcats will need to look to attack the basket against Linfield College, their next opponent, in order to create easy scoring opportunities.

WU will face Linfield tomorrow (Feb. 6) in McMinnville, Ore. Game time is set for 6 p.m. (PST). Linfield defeated Willamette in their first meeting of the season, 68-55.