Game Recap: Willamette 56 – 48 South Medford

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fifth-ranked Willamette (11-5, 3-0 SWC) upset fourth-ranked South Medford (12-3, 2-1 SWC) in round one of a Southwest Conference heavyweight matchup in Eugene on Friday night. Round two in Medford on Feb. 14 could determine the league title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rivals traded leads in the first quarter, which ended with Willamette ahead 15-12. The Wolverines got hot in the second, shooting 58% from the floor and outscoring South Medford 21-9. Willamette led 36-21 at halftime.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Medford fought back in the third quarter and went on a 10-0 run to cut the lead to six, trailing 42-36. The Lady Panthers got within five points in the fourth, but team fouls put the Wolverines in early bonus and Willamette hit 6-of-6 from the line to maintain the lead to the end. Final score: 56-48</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='502354' first='Izzie' last='Harms'] and [player_tooltip player_id='502347' first='Brynn' last='Smith'] led the Wolverines in scoring with 18 and 17 points, respectively. South Medford junior [player_tooltip player_id='828956' first='Mayen' last='Akpan'] led all scorers with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='991248' first='Dyllyn' last='Howell'] added 16 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are six top performers from the game:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["833647"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1153057,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-678dde9958d48"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='833647' first='Victoria' last='Nguyen'] brought the ball up strong for Willamette, consistently getting the Wolverines into their offense against South Medford's tough one-on-one defenders. Nguyen has great ball-handling skills, lateral movement, and footwork. She's creative to get to the rim and scored a crafty bucket on an impressive drive to the left for an important counter to South Medford's comeback attempt. It's the kind of finish you put in a highlight reel. Nguyen is tough on defense and consistently blocks out for the rebound. She's efficient and clutch at the free-throw line. Nguyen scored 9 points with 3 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["502354"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-678dde9958bd9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Willamette senior [player_tooltip player_id='502354' first='Izzie' last='Harms'] shot the lights out from long range in the first half. Harms shot confidently and in rhythm on the catch-and-shoot from a variety of spots around the perimeter. She was a plus player on the offensive boards and was involved in so much action that she drew six fouls. Harms is a strong competitor. She's not afraid of contact and will dive to the floor for the loose ball. Harms led the Wolverines in scoring with 18 points, shooting 50% from the field, including 5-of-8 from three-point range. She also had 4 rebounds and an assist. Harms is committed to Boise State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["502347"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-678dde9958c62"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Willamette senior [player_tooltip player_id='502347' first='Brynn' last='Smith'] has a strong and efficient drive to the basket. She can hang for the controlled and athletic finish through contact. Smith consistently got to the rim for the finish or the foul. She's an athletic defender who can anticipate the play with quick reaction time. Smith has great shooting form and can hit from long distance. She is smart with the ball and can make the right read. Smith scored 17 points, shooting 46% from the floor. She tallied 4 steals. Smith is committed to the University of Portland.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["917823"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1153056,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-678dde9958cdc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Willamette senior [player_tooltip player_id='917823' first='Harper' last='Wagner'] was a role player who showed up big on defense but made important plays all over the court. Wagner is strong, focused, and determined. She crashed the offensive boards early to help Willamette get second and third-chance points to amass their 15-point lead in the first half. She led the Wolverines' double and triple-team effort to battle South Medford's center [player_tooltip player_id='828956' first='Mayen' last='Akpan'] in the paint and on the boards all game, forcing Akpan to take tough shots and earn every rebound. Wagner scored 2 points with 5 rebounds and 3 steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["828956"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-678dde9958da0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">South Medford junior [player_tooltip player_id='828956' first='Mayen' last='Akpan'] is consistently a force in the paint and on the boards and put up another double-double on Friday night. Akpan led all scorers with 19 points, shooting 75% from the floor. All of her points were in the paint or from the line. She drew the most fouls at 7 and hit 7-of-8 free throws. Akpan tallied 12 rebounds, 2 steals, and an assist. Willamette made her earn every point and rebound. She battled in the paint to outdo her season average of 17.5 points and 11 rebounds. Akpan continues to play like the number one center in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["991248"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-678dde9958df8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Junior [player_tooltip player_id='991248' first='Dyllyn' last='Howell'] drives strong to the basket, can hit from three, and is a good defender. She finished tough takes from the perimeter to the rim and knocked down a couple three-pointers late in the game when South Medford needed it most. Dyllyn is strong and athletic. She's grown since December, which is a testament to her competitiveness and her commitment to get better. She's got the potential to taker over a game, she just needs to unlock it. If Howell can continue to put up big numbers against top competition, she's going to take South Medford far. Howell scored 16 points with 3 assists, 3 steals, and a block.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->