McMINNVILLE, Ore. — Tyler Watts and Troy Arce each scored 13 points and the Linfield Wildcats ran away from the Pacific Boxers 83-48 in Northwest Conference action Friday at Ted Wilson Gymnasium.
 
Conference implications
The Wildcats raised their conference record to 6-3 while moving to 12-5 overall. The Boxers dropped to 11-8, 5-5 in conference action.
 
How it happened
Less than a minute into the game Linfield took the lead and never relented. Watts scored nine of his team-leading 13 points points in the opening half to help the Wildcats build a nine-point cushion at the half. But just over two minutes into the second half, Arce drilled a three-pointer that put the 'Cats in front by 15. With under 10 minutes remaining, Austin Hilton made a jumper and followed a three-pointer on the ensuing possession, giving the 'Cats a 26-point advantage.

"I was very proud of our focus tonight," said Wildcats coach Shanan Rosenberg. "We really put it all together second half. Troy was really special for us setting a tone with aggressive play and intense D right of the bat. It was contagious.

"This was an important game for us. Pacific has been playing very well."
 
Linfield by the numbers
Arce pumped in 13 points while passing out five assists. Watts added nine rebounds in addition to his 13 points. Liam O'Reilly snagged nine rebounds while scoring six points, and Riley Bruil added eight points, five rebounds and an assist. Hilton finished with 12 points and contributed nine rebounds. Jordan Clark scored 11 points and recorded five rebounds and two assists.

"Austin  played his best game to date as a Wildcat. It was great to see him play so well," praised Rosenberg. "I challenged the whole team on the glass and we had a monster effort on the glass from everyone."

How the Boxers stacked up
Nate Olowo led the way Pacific with 14 points and eight rebounds. Davis Holly scored nine points — all of which came from three-pointers — while adding five rebounds and a steal. Brevin Brown had eight points, four rebounds and two assists, and R.J. Collins scored eight points, grabbed three rebounds and passed out two assists.
 
Coming up
The Wildcats go on the road for a Northwest Conference matchup against the George Fox Bruins Saturday at 6 p.m. at Wheeler Sports Center.