By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

TUALATIN, ORE. -- Willamette University surged past George Fox University, 7-2, on Saturday, March 7, in a Northwest Conference men's tennis match played at the Tualatin Hills Tennis Center. The win improved the Bearcats to 5-2 overall, 5-2 in the NWC. George Fox fell to 0-9 overall, 0-2 in the conference.

Cody Ferguson (Fr., North Bend, OR/North Bend HS/Western Oregon Univ.) of Willamette continued his solid play for the Bearcats. He combined with Micah Mack (Jr., Wenatchee, WA/Wenatchee HS) to win #1 doubles, 8-4, over Stefan Lagielski and Ralf Schulz, helping WU take a 2-1 lead after the doubles matches. Ferguson also won #2 singles in a three-set match against Lagielski, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4.

Willamette won five of six singles matches, with wins from #2 through #6. Matt Houser (So., Vancouver, WA/Evergreen HS) of WU achieved a 6-0, 6-2 victory over Schulz at #3 singles. Murakami and Houser easily won #2 doubles against Nick Jenness and Garrett Thompson, 8-1.

At #1 singles, Scott Barnett of GFU defeated Andrew Murakami (Sr., Wahiawa, HI/Leilehua HS/Univ. of Redlands) in a close match, 7-6 (7-1), 6-4. The Bruins' only other victory was at #3 doubles, where Scott Barnett and Ross Budreau downed Michael Moore (So., Seattle, WA/Lakeside HS) and Jordan Helvie (So., Boise, ID/Bishop Kelly HS), 8-4.

Willamette's next match is scheduled for Friday, March 13 at Whitworth University in Spokane, Wash. Match time is set for 3 p.m. (PST).