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

FOREST GROVE, ORE. -- Keilyn Fujioka (Jr., Post, Kailua, HI/Iolani School) scored 18 points for Willamette University, but Erica Schultz tallied 18 points and Julianne Erbe added 16 for Pacific University, as the Boxers defeated the Bearcats, 62-47, in a Northwest Conference game on Saturday, Jan. 23. Erbe also grabbed 13 rebounds and Schultz hauled down nine boards to help Pacific achieve the win.

Pacific improved to 6-9 overall, 3-5 in the NWC, while Willamette moved to 3-14 overall, 1-7 in the conference.

Willamette and Pacific battled back and forth throughout the first half before Pacific finally captured the momentum and a seven-point halftime lead, 31-24. The Boxers shot 45.2% in the first half.

The Bearcats battled during the second half but were unable to overcome the balanced attack that the Boxers presented. Pacific had eight players score during the game and three players finish in double figures. Schultz and Erbe were joined by Rochelle Reeves-Howe with 12 points.

Willamette's Alex Zennan (Jr., G, Sammamish, WA/Eastlake HS) scored nine points and grabbed six rebounds. Junior point guard Erin Barclay (Snohomish, WA/Bothell HS) had a team-high five assists in 31 minutes of play. Sophomore guard Maya McFaddin (McMinnville, OR/McMinnville HS) added four points and three assists.

Fujioka, in addition to scoring 18 points, provided WU with seven rebounds and five blocked shots. She also contributed two assists and two steals.

For the game, WU shot 35.5% (22 of 62) from the field. Pacific shot 41.5% (22 of 53). The Boxers gained a significant advantage at the free throw line, where they outscored the Bearcats 17-0. Pacific had 23 free throw attempts, while the Bearcats had just five. Willamette lost the rebounding battle 45-33.

Willamette is back in action on Friday, Jan. 29 at Whitworth University in Spokane, Wash. Game time is set for 6 p.m. (PDT). Whitworth is currently 4-4 in the NWC and 8-9 overall. The Pirates defeated the Bearcats 56-46 earlier this season.