SALEM, Ore. – Willamette University used a potent distance assault on Saturday night, toppling the Northwest Christian University women's basketball team, 73-57. The loss stopped a four-game winning streak for the Beacons.
 
The Bearcats (8-2) shot 50% from three-point range, draining 11 triples to keep each and every NCU comeback attempt at bay.
 
A pair of Hanna Mack free throws with 3:40 left in a defensive first quarter knotted the game at 6-6, but five straight Willamette points put the home team ahead for good.
 
WU took a 14-10 lead into the second quarter and Mack pulled NCU within two points off an opening layup. Willamette countered with a three-pointer from Kelsey Walker which fueled a 9-2 run and a comfortable lead. The Bearcats led by as many as 12 before taking a 32-23 lead into the locker room.
 
Northwest Christian made a charge at the start of the third quarter, reducing the deficit to 40-36 when Niki Duncan was successful on a triple, to complete a 13-8 run. On Willamette's next possession it was Marisa Hamilton's turn to drill a trey and NCU would never get closer than seven points the rest of the way.  
 
Willamette was led by Ashley Evans and Kylie Towry, scoring 14 points apiece with Evans collecting a trio of three-pointers. Hamilton finished with 11 points off the bench. Willamette recorded a 27-10 advantage in bench scoring and owned a slim 28-26 edge in points scored in the paint, winning the rebound battle 32-30.
 
NCU (8-6) was led by Mack who shot 5-for-6 with 13 points, adding a pair of blocks and a game-high seven rebounds. Duncan added 11 points and four steals while Andrea Gloss and Sami Pitts added ten points each. Demarea Caples (pictured) tied Mack with seven rebounds, added five assists, two blocks and two steals as she scored five.
 
The Beacons resume Cascade Collegiate Conference action this weekend, heading to Washington to take on Northwest University on Friday and The Evergreen State College on Saturday. Both games are scheduled for 5:30 pm tipoffs.