McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Five Linfield Wildcats reached double figures in scoring and the 'Cats shot a blistering 59 percent from the field on the way to a 93-68 victory over visiting UC Santa Cruz Friday night inside Ted Wilson Gymnasium.
 
UC Santa Cruz held its only lead of the game in the opening minute before Linfield snatched the momentum and never relented.
 
Will Burghardt pumped in 19 points while adding six assists, and Riley Bruil and Max Lommen both contributed 14 points for Linfield, which raised its season record to 7-2. Liam O'Reilly netted 12 points and Grant Gibb had 11 to help the 'Cats steadily pull away in the second half.
 
Linfield's bench, led by Lommen, Aaron Baune (seven points) and Parker Collins (six points), outscored the UCSC reserves by a 35-13 margin. Collins chalked up four assists in 14 minutes of action while Bruil was credited with three assists and three steals.
 
Linfield led by 11 points at intermission, 44-33, before outscoring the Banana Slugs 49-35 in the second half. All 13 Wildcats who saw action scored points in the contest.
 
Pacing a 44 percent night from outside the three-point arc were Bruil (3 of 6), Burghardt (2 for 5), Collins (2 of 2) and Gibb (2 for 6).
 
The rebounding battle was dead even with each side collaring 29 boards. Gibb totaled a game-high eight rebounds for the 'Cats and Bruil added seven. Will Crain nabbed seven rebounds to go with his 11 points.
 
Sam Gabbard led UCSC with a team-high 19 points. S Mueller-Landsvik had 10 points and four assists. Crain and Russell Taylor both scored 11 points. The Slugs were plagued by 19 turnovers which Linfield converted into 25 points. UCSC, which competes as an NCAA Division III independent, slipped to 6-8 overall.
 
Next
Linfield heads to Nevada for a pair of games at the D3 Hoops Classic next week in Las Vegas. On Thursday, Dec. 27, Linfield battles Ohio Northern at 8 p.m. On Saturday, Dec. 29, the 'Cats take on Ramapo (Ohio).