By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Led by 16 points and four steals from Marisa Hamilton (Jr./So., F, Beaverton, OR/Southridge HS), the Willamette University Bearcats opened the regular season with a 72-50 win over Dallas Christian College at the Multnomah University Invitational on Friday, Nov. 20 in Portland, Oregon. The Bearcats led 25-9 after the first quarter and held a 43-21 advantage at halftime.

Kylie Towry (Jr./So., G, Medford, OR/South Medford HS) added 13 points and hit three 3-point baskets. Madi Andresen (So., F, Forest Grove, OR/Forest Grove HS) provided the Bearcats with nine points on 4 of 5 shooting. Mary Eckenrode (So., PG, Higley, AZ/Highland HS) scored seven points.

Willamette held Dallas Christian to 32.7% shooting from the field (18 of 55). The Crusaders were led by Alexandria Thorne, who scored nine points and was 4 for 9 from the field. Shawtania Maxwell contributed sevne points, while Ta'Kela Taylor earned six points and a team-high seven rebounds.

The Bearcats gained a 39-37 rebounding margin with a balanced effort on the glass. Five Bearcats -- Andresen, Eckenrode, Alex Wert (Jr., F, Spokane, WA/St. George's HS), Whitney Anderson (So., G, Willamina, OR/Willamina HS), and Kali Vickery (Fr., G, Glide, OR/Glide HS) -- each grabbed four boards.

Willamette took charge in the first 4:08 of the game, outscoring Dallas Christian 13-3. The run by the Bearcats included eight points from Towry on two 3-pointers and a jumper, four points from Andresen on a pair of layups, and one point from Anderson on a free throw.

Ekenrode and Andresen each added a 3-pointer, helping the Bearcats end the quarter holding a 16-point lead. WU scored the final six points of the quarter.

The Bearcats began the second quarter with a 3-pointer by Vickery to extend the run to nine straight points. Willamette eventually build a 36-14 lead on a layup by Anderson with 4:59 remaining in the half.

Dallas Christian outscored Willamette 15-13 in the third quarter. The Crusaders got as close as 17 points at 46-29 on a 3-pointer by Sapora Richard with 7:10 on the clock. WU was in front 56-36 when the game entered the final quarter.

Willamette closed out the game with a 16-14 scoring edge in the fourth period. The Bearcats shot 41.4% from the field for the night (24 of 58) and made 9 of 26 three-pointers (34.6%). WU converted 15 of 24 free throws (62.5%).

The Crusaders made just 3 of 20 shots (15.0%) from behind the 3-point line. Dallas Christian connected on 11 of 22 free throws (50.0%).

Eckenrode led the Bearcats with five assists, as Willamette recorded 17 assists on 24 baskets. Eckenrode also earned a team-high three steals.

The Bearcats will take on host Multnomah University on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 2 p.m. (PST).