SALEM, Ore. -- Warner Pacific dug themselves a 22-point hole in the first half and could not recover, falling at Willamette University 90-70 on Tuesday night.

WPC scored just 3 points in the second quarter, contributing to a 45-23 deficit at halftime. Another culprit to the first half struggles for the Knights was a red-hot Bearcat team. Willamette connected on a school record 19 three-point baskets Ashley Evans led the way for the Bearcats, as she tied a school record with nine 3-point baskets and scored a game-high 29 points.

Ironically, the game began with a 3-point basket by Warner Pacific on a shot by Michaela Pin just five seconds after the opening tip. The Knights led 5-2 after 54 seconds, but Willamette answered with an 11-2 run to take a 13-7 lead at the 5:24 mark. Evans hit two 3-pointers during the run.

WPC cut the margin to a single point at 13-12 and 15-14, but another surge by the Bearcats gave Willamette a 25-16 lead after Kylie Towry made her first 3-pointer with 46 seconds on the clock. The Bearcats owned a 28-21 advantage at the end of the quarter.

Sesma sank a jump shot for Warner Pacific to open the second quarter with 8:57 left, but Willamette tallied the next 17 points to take charge of the game. Five of the six baskets by the Bearcats were from 3-point range, including two by Towry. Farmer scored on a layup to complete the run with 1:35 remaining in the half, giving WU a 45-23 lead.

Kyeli Hendrix of WPC ended the Knights' scoring drought when she hit 1 of 2 free throws with 40 seconds left to end the scoring in the first half.

The Knights pulled within 14 points, 55-41, on two free throws by Sesma with 3:52 left in the third quarter. Willamette answered with a four-point play by Towry, who hit a 3-point shot and was fouled at the 3:16 mark. Evans sank the free throw.
Warner Pacific reduced the deficit to 59-44 on a layup by Sesma with 1:44 on the clock. The Bearcats closed the quarter with a 7-1 run for a 66-45 advantage. Towry started the run with a 3-pointer, while Celine Gregoire (So., P, Woodburn, OR/ Woodburn Academy) tacked on two free throws and a layup.

Willamette led by at least 17 points throughout the fourth quarter. The Bearcats shot 47.1% for the game (32 of 68), including 19 of 38 (50.0%) from 3-point range. WU also hit 7 of 9 free throws. The Bearcats earned a 36-32 rebounding edge and forced WPC into 17 turnovers.

Although Warner Pacific shot just 35.7% in the first half, the Knights improved to 55.6% in the second half (15 of 27) to end the game at 45.5% overall (25 of 55). Warner Pacific outscored the Bearcats 46-45 over the final 20 minutes, but couldn't overcome Willamette's sizable halftime lead.

Michaela Pin provided Warner Pacific with 15 points and eight rebounds, while Darbi Pink scored 14 points. Pink hit four 3-point baskets and Pin made two, but the Knights went 6 of 17 from 3-point range (35.3%)


Story courtesy of Willamette Sports Information