By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director
CLAREMONT, Calif. -- Willamette University held a 65-61 advantage entering the final minute, and made 2 of 4 free throws in the final 21 seconds, to hold off Pomona-Pitzer, 67-64, on Saturday, Nov. 28 in the David Wells Classic. Willamette improved to 3-1 on the season, while Pomona-Pitzer fell to 1-4.
The tournament was hosted by Claremont-Mudd-Scripps. In Saturday's first game, University of Puget Sound defeated the Athenas, 76-67.
With 21 seconds left in Willamette's win over Pomona-Pitzer, Ashley Evans (So., PG, Canby, OR/Canby HS) hit the first of two free throws for a 66-62 lead. After Basha Brulee-Wills scored on a layup for the Sagehens with nine seconds remaining, Mary Eckenrode (So., PG, Higley, AZ/Highland HS) made the second of two free throws for Willamette with 8.5 seconds on the clock to complete the scoring.
Alaina Woo missed a 3-point shot in an effort to tie the game with two seconds left. Marisa Hamilton (Jr./So., F, Beaverton, OR/Southridge HS) grabbed the rebound for the Bearcats.
Kylie Towry (Jr./So., G, Medford, OR/South Medford HS) put in 20 points and hit 5 of 8 three-point shots for the Bearcats. Madi Andresen (So., F, Forest Grove, OR/Forest Grove HS) added 15 points. Evans finished with 10 points, and Alex Wert (Jr., F, Spokane, WA/St. George's HS) provided eight points and 10 rebounds.
Willamette hit 10 of 22 three-pointers (45.5%) and converted 17 of 22 free throws (77.3%). Pomona-Pitzer was 4 for 15 on 3-point shots (26.7%) and sank 8 of 12 free throws (66.7%).
Brulee-Wills led Pomona-Pitzer with 22 points and grabbed eight rebounds. She was 9 of 14 from the field. Woo scored 12 points for the Sagehens, while Melissa Hooke earned 10 points. Amelia Hummel recorded eight points and a team-high nine boards.
The first half was an offensive show, as Willamette led 28-21 after the first quarter and held a 47-37 lead after two quarters. WU shot 55.2% in the first half (16 of 29), while Pomona-Pitzer shot 50.0% (15 of 30). The Bearcats sank 9 of 16 three-point shots in the opening 20 minutes.
Pomona-Pitzer scored the game's first five points and later owned a 10-7 advantage. The Bearcats scored the next eight points to begin a 17-4 run for a 24-14 margin at the 1:29 mark. The run featured two 3-pointers by Towry and two more by Evans.
Willamette tallied nine of the first 12 points in the second quarter, including a 3-pointer from Towry, as the Bearcats built a 37-24 lead with 7:28 on the clock. The Sagehens pulled within 37-30 on a layup by Brulee-Wills, and were as close as 42-35 following a free throw by Hooke with 2:27 left in the half.
Both teams, who were playing their second game in as many nights, cooled off from the field in the second half. Willamette shot 18.2% over the final 20 minutes (4 of 22), while Pomona-Pitzer hit 33.3% (11 of 33). The Bearcats, however, excelled at the free throw line, hitting 11 of 14 shots (78.6%). The Sagehens were 4 for 6 at the line in the second half.
The third quarter started with an 8-0 run by the Sagehens to cut the deficit to 47-45 at the 8:08 mark. WU responded with six consecutive points for a 53-45 advantage with 5:35 on the clock.
Pomona-Pitzer recorded the final eight points of the quarter to tie the game entering the final period. Brulee-Willis scored the last three points on a jumper and a foul shot with 22 seconds left.
Towry sank two free throws seven seconds into the fourth quarter to give Willamette a 55-53 lead. Kacie Hitomi of Pomona-Pitzer tallied the next four points as the Sagehens moved in front 57-55, but Hamilton hit two charity shots to tie the score.
Willamette and Pomona-Pitzer were tied again a bit later at 59-59 following a layup by Brulee-Wills. Wert scored on a jump shot for Willamette with 4:12 remaining, as the Bearcats took the lead for good, 61-59. Towry increased the lead to 63-59 with two free throws as the clock reached 3:41.
A basket by Brulee-Wills with 2:04 left was offset by a layup from Andresen with 1:33 to go, leaving Willamette with a 65-61 lead. Brulee-Wills hit the second of two charity shots with 38 seconds left to cut the lead to three points, before Evans and Eckenrode secured the win for Willamette at the line.
The Bearcats will return to action on Friday, Dec. 4 against Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. Game time is set for 6 p.m. (PST). It will be the Northwest Conference opener for both teams.
