TACOMA, WA - No. 10/10 Tiger Women's Basketball falls to the Willamette Bearcats on day one of their road trip to Washington. 
 
The Tigers (8-2) become 1-1 all time against Willamette. Junior Josie Napoli (Beaverton, Oregon / Valley Catholic) led the Tigers with 13 points and Skye O'Rourke (Austin, Texas / Vandergrift) would be the only other Tiger in double figures with 10 points. 
 
The Rundown
 
The Tigers got a late start to the party on Tuesday evening but when they got started, they did it big with a Napoli three-pointer from Jamie Ruede (Pipe Creek, Texas / Boerne). Just like they say, good teammates are rewarded. On the next possession, Ruede would put in a three-pointer of her own to tie the game at six a piece. Willamette went on a hot streak and got to a big 17-8 lead. Napoli would put in another layup but the Bearcats hot hand would ride and finish the quarter 25-10. 
 
The second quarter would see Willamette extend their lead by two more points to bring the total to 17. However, the Togethers have heart. A three by Kylie Minter (League City, Texas / Clear Springs) and back-to-back layups by Ruede and Elaine King (Cedar Park, Texas / Cedar Park) would cut the lead down to eight. Willamette would bounce back with nine points in a row to grow their lead back to 19. The Bearcats would sink open shots left and right in the second quarter to end the half on a 10-2 run and the Tigers would head to the locker room down 23-48.
 
The second half started with the Bearcats going on a 10-4 run to bring their lead to 31. The Tigers were able to hit some tough shots and never slowed down. Nevertheless, Willamette would shoot  60 percent for the field in the third quarter and the Tigers would head into the final quarter down 42-72. 
 
The Tigers would have their best quarter of the night in the fourth and put up 24 points. The Tigers would shoot 41 percent from the field but Willamette's big scoring night continued and the Tigers would fall 66-89. 
 
Coach Speak

"Nothing tonight was usual," began Head Coach Cameron Hill. "But it reminded me of a great film – The Usual Suspects. If you know, you know, but trust me, everything is not as it seems. Tacoma is beautiful this time of year! Onward!"

Up Next
 
The Tigers will take on the University of Puget Sound tomorrow at 4:00 PM (PT) to close out their road trip.