By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director
SALEM, Ore. -- Kylie Towry (Jr./So., G, Medford, OR/South Medford HS) is the leading scorer on the Willamette University women's basketball team with 14.7 points per game, and ranks fifth in the Northwest Conference in scoring. She is one of the top 3-point shooters in NCAA Division III. She has been moving up Willamette's all-time list for 3-point baskets.
This season, she has connected on 38 of 88 three-point shots for 43.2%, which ranks her 25th in Division III. Her 38 field goals rank 12th in the nation and she is 14th in the nation in 3-point field goals made per game (2.92).
She put through 14 three-pointers in three games last week, hitting five against New Hope Christian University, four against University of Puget Sound and five versus Linfield College. She has made at least three 3-pointers in eight of Willamette's 13 games.
Towry has contributed 128 three-point baskets during her career with the Bearcats and is tied for sixth on WU's all-time list. She has moved up three spots since the beginning of the season. Alex Zennan (2007-11) and Amy Ulrey (1992-96) are tied for the Willamette career record with 174 three-pointers.
"I'm very happy for Kylie and the season she is having," Willamette Head Coach Peg Swadener said. "She has worked so hard to get to where she is today, and her shooting percentage is no surprise to those who have seen her spend the hours in the gym that she has."
Last year, Towry finished with 68 three-pointers for second on Willamette's single season list. She missed tying the school record by one 3-pointer. Ulrey holds the Bearcat record with 69 three-pointers in 1995-96.
Towry set the Willamette single game record with nine 3-point baskets against California Institute of Technology on Nov. 21, 2014.
"While Kylie is one of the best shooters I have worked with, what I am most impressed with in Kylie is the fact that she isn't just a shooter for us," Swadener noted. "She is one of our best defenders and rebounders, and has also done an amazing job developing her game to become a threat off the dribble as well as off the catch. Being able to do all she does for us while shooting the way she does is the sign of a true competitor."
The success experienced by Towry has made it possible for other members of the team to excel from 3-point range. As a result, the Bearcats are ranked nationally in 3-point shooting as a team. Willamette is third in 3-point field goal percentage (38.4%) out of 420 teams in Division III. The Bearcats are sixth in 3-point field goals made per game (8.8) and are seventh in total 3-point field goals made (114).
Ashley Evans (So., PG, Canby, OR/Canby HS) is listed 47th in Division III in 3-point field goal percentage at 40.6%.
Willamette also holds a national ranking of 42nd in overall field goal percentage. Including two-point shots, the Bearcats are connecting at 42.5% from the field. The team's success on field goals has helped Evans rank 31st in the Division III in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.16 assists per turnover).
The Bearcats are 10-3 on the season and 2-2 in the NWC after defeating archrival Linfield College 57-48 on Jan. 9. Willamette will complete a four-game homestand by hosting three strong opponents.
Whitworth University (8-5, 3-1 NWC) will take on the Bearcats on Friday, Jan. 15 at Cone Field House. Game time is set for 6 p.m. (PST). Willamette will battle Whitman College (11-1, 4-0 NWC) on Satruday, Jan. 16 at 4 p.m. The Missionaries are ranked #24 by D3hoops.com.
The homestand will conclude with a game against George Fox University on Tuesday, Jan. 19 at 6 p.m. (PST). GFU is ranked #2 by the Women's Basketball Coaching Association (WBCA) and is #3 in the D3hoops.com Top 25.
