Setting the Scene: Pacific Lutheran University closes out its first homestand of the NWC slate today, welcoming Willamette University to Olson Gymnasium.
Home Attendance Policy: Masks are required while inside Olson Gymnasium, regardless of vaccination status. Eating and drinking inside the building is also prohibited. Thank you for your cooperation and helping stop the spread of COVID-19.
Series History: The Lutes and Bearcats have met 82 times since the 1980-1981 season with the scales tilted 45-37 in favor of PLU. Willamette swept the season series last time they met during the 2019-20 campaign, securing 57-52 and 70-59 victories.
About the Lutes: Pacific Lutheran (3-6, 0-2 NWC) looks to snap a four-game slide. coming up empty-handed in the month of December. The Lutes downed Occidental College 70-59 to wrap up a California road trip undefeated on Nov. 21 but its been tough sledding since with setbacks to Lewis & Clark College (64-58), Pacific University (76-50), Evergreen State College (67-56), and Northwest University (62-51).
Josie Napoli leads the Lute scoring attack, averaging 14.1 points per game along with dishing out 4.7 assists per game. Napoli is one of three Lutes to start all nine games this season, joining Ava Edmonds (11.1 ppg and 5.3 rpg) and Stacie Spahr (6.4 ppg and 9.4 rpg).
About the Bearcats: Willamette (6-5, 1-1 NWC) heads into the weekend having dropped two of its last three games. The Bearcats opened NWC play on Dec. 3, stumbling 62-43 to Whitman College before rebounding with a 59-58 win over Whitworth University the following day.
The Bearcats were back on the hardwood on New Year's Day, coming up short 64-31 to Carroll College.
Carolyn Ho paces the Willamette scoring efforts, averaging 9.4 points per game with Ava Kitchin adding 9.1 ppg. Ashlyn Ascuena-Mercil is the Bearcats' top rebounder, hauling in 6.2 rebounds per game.
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To download the app to your smartphone or tablet, visit the Apple App Store (DOWNLOAD LINK) or Google Play (DOWNLOAD LINK) and search for "PLU Athletics."
Next Home Game:
Jan. 28 vs. Pacific University at 6 p.m.
PLU Non-Discrimination Policy: Pacific Lutheran University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Title IX Coordinator Jennifer Childress-White; 253-535-7361; TitleIX@plu.edu