Willamette Men Host George Fox; Travel to Linfield

WU is 0-5 on the road in NWC play.

Salem-News.com SPORTS

SALEM - Willamette plays its final home game of the season on Friday, when the ‘Cats host George Fox University at 8:00 PM.

The next night, Willamette travels to Linfield for another NWC game. Tip-off at Linfield is also 8:00 PM.

GFU defeated WU earlier this season in Newberg, 72-52, while the Bearcats got by Linfield 80-68 on Jan. 13th at Cone Field House.

The ‘Cats game against George Fox will mark the final home game for three WU seniors.

Rob Andrus and C.J. Stuvland (Point Guard, Portland, OR/Sunset HS) will be making their final home appearances in Bearcat uniforms, while senior point guard Josh Erickson (Keizer, OR/McNary HS) also will be honored.

Erickson played in only two games this year after re-injuring his right knee. He also missed the entire 2004-05 season with a similar injury.

The three players will be honored prior to tip-off on Friday night.

Andrus’ 20-point game against L&C was his top scoring effort of the season. He has reached double digits in scoring in eight of Willamette’s last 10 games.

During those 10 games, Andrus has averaged 10.3 points per game, while shooting 58.9% (33 of 56) from the field, including 60% (12 of 20) from 3-point range.

Nugent has scored in double figures in 15 of Willamette’s 21 games and has produced 20 or more points eight times. He is averaging 16.1 points per game on the season, which puts in him in a tie for 5th place in the NWC

WU is now 0-5 on the road in NWC play. The Bearcats will have three chances to pick up that elusive first conference road win, starting with their game this Saturday at Linfield.

WU closes the season by traveling to Eastern Washington to face Whitworth on Friday, Feb. 16th, and Whitman the following night.

In their two losses last weekend, the ‘Cats shot poorly in the first half of both games and trailed at the intermission.

Against Pacific, WU shot just 26.1% (6 of 23) in the first twenty minutes, and against Lewis & Clark, WU shot only 30.8% (8 of 26) in the first half.

In both games, the Bearcats fought their way back by getting hot in the second half.

On Friday at Pacific, WU shot an outstanding 55.6% (15 of 27) in the second half to climb back into the game, and Saturday night’s comeback against Lewis & Clark was fueled in part by the ‘Cats shooting 46.2% (12 of 26) in the final twenty minutes.

Willamette leads the Northwest Conference in two statistical categories: free throw shooting at 74.4% (363 of 488), and blocked shots per game at 3.76 (79 total).

Andrus’ recent hot streak from 3-point range has put him at 46.3% (19 of 41) shooting for the year.

That percentage would rank him first in the NWC, but he has not met the minimum average of one 3-point field goal made per game. He is averaging 0.9 3-point field goals per game.

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