McMINNVILLE, Ore. — Kory Oleson scored 20 points and gathered six rebounds, and the Linfield Wildcats rallied from a first-half, double-digit deficit to push past the Pacific Lutheran Lutes 66-60 Friday night at Ted Wilson Gymnasium.
 
The Wildcats outscored the Lutes 20-13 in the final quarter to secure the win.
 
Where they stand
The Northwest Conference victory boosts the Wildcats' conference record to 2-2 and raises their overall record to 6-7. The Lutes dropped to 1-10 overall, 0-3 in conference action.
 
How it played out
Linfield led for fewer than four minutes of the game, but it mattered little, as the 'Cats went on to separate themselves from the Lutes in the game's final minutes.
 
PLU jumped to a 12-point lead in the second quarter. However, with just over one minute remaining before intermission, Linfield's Paige Graham drilled home a three-pointer to bring the game within four points.
 
When play resumed in the third quarter, Linfield kept the momentum on its side. Kory Oleson hit a three-pointer that tied the game with just under nine minutes to play in the third quarter. It wasn't until the 2:18 mark of the final period that the Wildcats snatched the lead for good. Molly Danielson made a jumper to put the 'Cats in front for good, 59-57. The Wildcats outscored the Lutes 7-3 in the remaining time to salt the game away .
 
Linfield by the numbers
Oleson hit 8 of 13 from the field to with her game-high 20 points. The sophomore transfer from Western Oregon added six rebounds and a blocked shot. Bailey McDevitt chipped in eight points on 4 of 5 shooting, adding two rebounds and a steal. Audrey McMillan aided the 'Cats with nine points, six rebounds, a block and a steal.
 
Genna Hughes scored six points and Jade Everage dished out four assists while adding six points. Danielson contributed six of her 10 points in the second half while adding four rebounds and an assist.
 
Lutes lines
Three PLU players scored in the double figures, led by the 17 points from Kristin Sturdivan. Madison Salisbury recorded 16 points and Emma Janousek totaled 11.
 
Sturdivan pulled down six rebounds to go with two assists, Salisbury had nine rebounds and a steal, and Janousek tallied three assists plus a steal.
 
Stats comparison
The Wildcats shot 48 percent from the field on 25 of 52 shooting. The Lutes followed closely behind at 42 percent, also taking 52 shots. The difference was made in rebounds, turnovers and assists; all categories that the Wildcats held advantages in.
 
Coming up
The Wildcats travel to Portland next Friday for a matchup against the Lewis & Clark Pioneers. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. at Pamplin Sports Center.