By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University senior guard Kylie Towry (Medford, OR/South Medford HS) has been chosen as the Northwest Conference Women's Basketball Student-Athlete of the Week for her efforts against Linfield College on Wednesday, Jan. 3 versus University of Puget Sound on Saturday, Jan. 6. Towry helped the Bearcats defeat Linfield, 76-70 in overtime, and outlast Puget Sound, 66-65, also in overtime. The Bearcats are 7-6 on the season, including 3-1 in the NWC.

Towry averaged 19.5 points, 6.0 rebounds 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals during the two games. She ranks second in the NWC this season with 16.3 points per game. She is now third on Willamette's all-time scoring list with 1,176 career points. She trails only Kelly Sorenson (Ioane), who holds second place with 1,208 points from 1997-01, and Jenny Joseph, who is Willamette's record holder with 1,309 points from 1993-97. Towry is the career 3-point leader for the Bearcats with 259 successful 3-point shots.

"Everyone knows Kylie as a great shooter, but she brings so much more to this team than just her ability to score," Willamette Head Coach Peg Swadener said. "While she elevates our team in all areas of the game, it was her leadership that really stood out this week. This conference has a lot of really talented players and it's nice to see Kylie recognized as one of them."

Against Linfield, Towry scored the tying basket with 11.6 seconds left in regulation to force the overtime session. She hit two free throws to give the Bearcats a 75-70 lead with 22 seconds remaining in overtime to help clinch the win. Towry finished with 28 points against the Wildcats and set a school record with 14 free throws made (14 of 14).

In the overtime win against Puget Sound, Towry contributed 11 points and 7 rebounds. She also provided the Bearcats with three assists.

During the week, Towry connected on 10 of 31 field goals (32.3%) and hit three 3-point shots. She sank 16 of 16 free throws for a perfect week at the line.

Willamette will return to action on Friday, Jan. 12 with an NWC game at Pacific Lutheran University. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m. (PST) in Tacoma, Washington. The Bearcats will return home to take on Pacific University on Saturday, Jan. 13 at Cone Field House starting at 4 p.m.