Box Score PORTLAND, Ore. - Jessica Thoens hit a runner in the lane with two seconds remaining on the clock to send Warner Pacific to a hard-fought win, 70-69, over Willamette University at Bart Valentine Court tonight. 

The host Knights (3-4) had to withstand a late charge from the Bearcats, who took a 69-68 lead on the previous possession thanks to a clutch three pointer from Jojo DeLong. With the game on the line, Thoens was able to get into the paint and loft up the left handed shot that went through the net. Willamette (1-3) had two ticks on the clock to attempt a shot, but could not pull the trigger as time ran out.

Warner Pacific scored the first seven points of the game and were the aggressors early. Willamette fought back to tie the game at 13-13 with 9:17 on the clock and were starting to loosen up after a rough start. The Bearcats eventually built a 10 point advantage (28-18), but WP went on an 11-2 run capped by a pair of free throws from Janelle Weiss to even the score at 29-29. DeLong drained a long three pointer at the halftime buzzer to send the Bearcats into the locker room with a 32-29 lead.

Willamette was hot in the early action of the second period, as Kylie Towry splashed a pair of treys and Daena Mau added a third to give the Bearcats a 41-35 lead. Janelle Weiss helped the Knights back in the game with a pair of steals and breakaway layups along with a nice drive and score. WPC slowly pulled away in the middle portion of the half and enjoyed their largest lead  of the night (62-52) with 8:27 remaining in the game. Courtney Walchli came off the bench and dropped in eight points during the surge.

WU did not go away and mounted their comeback attempt. DeLong was the catalyst, scoring 13 points down the stretch including the make from distance in the final minute that gave the Bearcats their final lead. That shot set up the heroics from Thoens and the celebration for the host team.

DeLong led the visitors with 19 points and eight assists. Towry also had 19 points on 5 of 13 shooting from three point range. 

Warner Pacific was led by Janelle Weiss with 14 points, while Ali Campbell turned in a double-double performance of 11 points and 10 rebounds. The Knights as a team connected on 48 percent of their field goal attempts - a season high. 

COMING UP: Warner Pacific will travel across Portland to face Lewis & Clark College on Tuesday, November 26 at 7pm