By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director
SALEM, Ore. -- The Willamette University women's basketball team concluded the 2015-16 season ranked fifth in the nation in 3-point field goal percentage in NCAA Division III. The Bearcats shot 36.8% from 3-point range, only slightly less accurate than the national leader, Ohio Wesleyan University, which shot 38.3%.
Willamette connected on 181 of 492 three-point attempts. Ohio Wesleyan made 144 of 376 three-pointers.
Success on long-range shots also led to Willamette being ranked in total 3-pointers made per game and total 3-pointers made. The Bearcats averaged 7.2 three-pointers per game to rank 27th in NCAA Division III. Willamette's 181 total 3-pointers placed the Bearcats 39th in the nation.
The Bearcats scored 10 or more 3-pointers in five games during the season. The team earned a season-high 12 three-pointers in back-to-back games, hitting a dozen against New Hope Christian University (Ore.) on Jan. 4 and against University of Puget Sound on Jan. 9.
Leading the way for WU on 3-point shots this season was Kylie Towry (Jr./So., G, Medford, OR/South Medford HS), who remained high on the national lists after conference tournaments were completed across the country.
Towry connected on 64 of 159 three-pointers this season. She is ranked 28th in 3-point percentage (40.3%), is 45th in 3-pointers made per game (2.56), and is 50th in total 3-pointers made. Towry has hit 154 three-pointers in her career to ranked fifth all-time for the Bearcats.
Willamette also shot the ball well from two-point range this year and earned 32nd place nationally in overall field goal percentage at 42.7%. In addition, the Bearcats ranked 35th in the country in fewest fouls and 46th in fouls per game (15.0).
Point guard Ashley Evans (So., Canby, OR/Canby HS) was listed at 67th in NCAA Division III in assist-to-turnover ratio. She recorded 72 assists and 42 turnovers for a +1.71 ratio.
The Bearcats finished the season with a 12-13 record. It was the team's best record since going 11-14 in 2001-02. Willamette had no seniors on its roster this year.
