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

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University trailed nationally ranked George Fox University by just 10 points with a little over 12 minutes left, but the Bruins pulled away from the Bearcats for a 78-54 Northwest Conference women's basketball victory on Saturday, Jan. 10 at Cone Field House. GFU remained undefeated at 13-0 on the season and 4-0 in the NWC.

The Bruins entered the game ranked #10 in the D3hoops.com Top 25 and were #11 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. Willamette, which has played several nationally ranked teams this season, fell to 5-8 overall, 0-4 in the NWC. The Bearcats' four NWC opponents have a combined overall record of 45-6.

GFU owned a 57-47 advantage after Katie Kalugin (Sr., G, Woodburn, OR/Woodburn HS) scored on a layup for the Bearcats with 12:16 to go. The Burins outscored Willamette 21-7 the rest of the way.

Justine Benner of GFU led all players with 21 points on 9 of 16 shooting. She also grabbed eight rebounds and earned two assists. Lauren Codling tacked on 14 ponts and a game-high nine rebounds for the Bruins, while Nicole Blizzard produced 13 points and four assists. Jami Morris finished with 12 points and Sammy Naluai scored 10.

Kalugin connected on 8 of 15 field goals on her way to scoring 17 points for the Bearcats. Kylie Towry (Fr., G, Medford, OR/South Medford HS) supplied Willamette with 15 points and hit 5 of 9 three-pointers, while Marisa Hamilton (Fr., Beaverton, OR/Southridge HS) achieved 12 points.

Jojo DeLong (Sr., PG, Santa Clarita, CA/Canyon HS) contributed six points and six assists. Ashley Evans (Fr., Canby, OR/Canby HS) provided five assists. Kalugin topped the Bearcats with five rebounds.

GFU shot 55.6% for the game, as the Bruins hit 30 of 54 shots, including 6 of 12 on three-point attempts. The Bruins were 12 for 16 at the line. Willamette made 22 of 55 field goals for 40.0%. The Bearcats went 7 for 21 from 3-point range and sank 3 of 6 free throws.

The teams played through four ties and there were three lead changes in the first 8:02 of the game. WU scored the game's first points on a 3-pointer by Towry, but the Bruins answered with a 7-0 run.

A bit later, Willamette led 14-11 after Towry hit her third three-pointer at the 13:34 mark. The Bruins eventually tied the game at 14-14 on a layup by Benner with 11:58 left in the half.

GFU broke the tie with a pair of 3-pointers from Morris for a 20-14 advantage. The Bearcats pulled within four points twice before the Bruins went on a 13-2 offensive surge to claim a 35-20 lead with 4:11 on the clock. Naluai scored seven points for GFU during the run.

Willamette trailed 43-29 at halftime. The Bruins increased their lead to 48-32 early in the second half, but the Bearcats fought back within 49-41 with 15:48 to go. WU's 9-1 run included five points by Kalugin.

The Bearcats were still within striking distance after Kalugin's layup with 12:16 remaining. Four Willamette turnovers in the next 2:41 led to nine points for the Bruins, as GFU built a 66-47 lead with 9:30 left. Blizzard scored on a jumper, while Morris added a layup and foul shot. Blizzard tacked on another jumper and Naluai completed the run with a layup.

George Fox finished the game with a 34-25 rebounding margin. The Bruins forced Willamette in to 21 turnovers, while the Bearcats caused GFU to lose the ball 16 times. Morris of GFU led all players with four steals.

Willamette will return to action on Tuesday, Jan. 13 at Lewis & Clark College. Game time in Portland, Ore. is set for 6 p.m. (PST).