McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Linfield broke a club record with 19 three-pointers and the streaking Wildcats ran away from New Hope Christian 121-67 in nonconference men's basketball action Saturday at Ted Wilson Gymnasium.
Linfield improved its season record to 6-1. New Hope remained winless, falling to 0-17.
"I was concerned coming into this game because we have a group of guys who take their academics very seriously and finals week can be a mysterious time for us," said Wildcats coach
Shanan Rosenberg. "After a slow defensive start, we picked it up and had a big surge in the first half that set a tone for the rest of the game."
'Cat stats
Six Wildcats scored in double figures.
Dempsey Roggenbuck totaled a game-high 21 points and
Grant Gibb bagged 14 points, including four three-pointers, to lead an efficient Linfield attack.
Will Burghardt chipped in with 13 points, all in the first half.
Max Lommen contributed 11 points off the bench, hitting 4 of 5 shots.
Tanner Autencio, Sandor Rogriguez and Aaron Buane each had 10 points. All 17 Wildcats who saw action in the game came away with points in the scoring column.
The Wildcats attempted 75 shots in the game, making 46 of those (61.3 percent). The 'Cats also were credited with 32 assists, including Burghardt's game high six assists.
Linfield outrebounded New Hope by a 42-23 margin with Autencio leading the way with six caroms. Gibb and
Liam O'Reilly grabbed five rebounds.
New Hope numbers
Mitchell Beckwith topped the Deacons with 19 points while Jaylen Rose helped out with 16 points and four assists. Jebari Robinson had 11 points in a reserve role.
1st half
Linfield and New Hope were neck and neck during the game's opening eight minutes before the Wildcats launched a prolific 43-5 run.
Aided by 17 New Hope turnovers and nine converted three-point baskets, Linfield owned a 65-26 advantage at the break.
Roggenbuck sank 6 of 10 shots, including a pair of threes, on his way to 15 points in the period. Burghardt was perfect in the half, going 5 for 5 from the field, 2 for 2 from three-point range and 1 of 1 at the free throw line. He also accounted for five assists as the Wildcats built a 39-point halftime advantage.
2nd half
Beckwith scored the first basket after intermission but the Wildcats quickly continued their spree, building a lead as large as 52 points with 11:39 left to play.
Owen Chidester equaled the Linfield single-game record with a three-pointer with 2:02 left before
Aaron Baune set the new club standard with his own three at the 1:28 mark.
Rosenberg's remarks
"
Negasi Hart was a great spark for us, it was good to see him play well.
Marcus Lord too, brought a ton of energy for us and you live for that from seniors.
"I continue to love how Dempsey and Will are ready to rock night-in and night-out.
Riley Bruil has been the epitome of efficiency and selflessness – a tremendous leader as well.
"I was very pleased with our guys that normally don't get to play much and came in and represented themselves and our team at a high level. It was really cool to see everyone so excited for each other. We have a special team and culture that way.
"We will take a little time off for finals then prepare for two huge non-conference games to close our December homestand."
'Cat Scratch
Coming into Saturday's game, Linfield's
Riley Bruil was leading NCAA Division III statistics in assist-to-turnover ratio…the senior guard from Lake Tapps, Wash., had accounted for 19 assists against just one turnover . . . Bruil added to his impressive totals Saturday, netting four assists and no turnovers. . . Linfield broke the single-game record of 18 three-pointers set in 2008 against Whitman. . .the Wildcats' 32 assists were the second-highest total for a single game in program history.
Next
The Wildcats will focus on final exams during the coming week before turning their attention to the arrival of defending NCAA Division III champion Nebraska Wesleyan. The No. 1-ranked Prairie Wolves (9-0) meet the Wildcats Nov. 17 as part of a two-game swing through the Pacific Northwest.