SALEM, ORE. – The Linfield Wildcats (4-7) coming off of back-to-back wins traveled to Willamette (5-6) to take on the Bearcats in the Cone Field House on January 4
th. Linfield picked up their first Northwest Conference win taking down Willamette 72-60.
'Cat stats
Molly Danielson picks up her sixth double-double of the season and had a game high of 27 points and 10 rebounds for the Wildcats in 36 minutes of play.
Cameron Reuter continues to be a scoring threat for Linfield as she added 17 points,
Kory Oleson also had 14 points for the 'Cats. Guard
Cassidy Schutz added nine points for the 'Cats and six rebounds.
Bearcats' box score
Willamette was led by Britanny Kochenderfer who had 23 points and 15 rebounds for the Bearcats. Amanda Carpenter followed closely behind with 19 points for Willamette. The Bearcats were 72.7 percent from the free-throw line and 39. 0 percent from the field.
1st Half
The Bearcats won the opening tip and scored in their first possession. Linfield countered as
Cassidy Schutz laid on in to tie the game up. The Wildcats went on a seven-point run and would keep their lead going into the second quarter. Willamette came out hot as they went on a five-point run to start the second quarter. Danielson and Oleson hit back-to-back shots to increase their lead to 13 with just a little under four minutes left to play in the first half. The Wildcats and Bearcats went back and forth to end the second quarter but the 'Cats would maintain their lead and go into halftime leading 32-28.
2nd Half
Linfield came out ready to play to start the third quarter as Reuter made back-to-back lay ups to put the 'Cats ahead 36-30. The Bearcats were able to take the lead from the Wildcats with seven minutes left to play in the third quarter. Linfield went on a nine-point run to take the lead back from the Bearcats and head into the fourth quarter up 51-47.
Maggie Smith drained a jumper to start the fourth quarter and increase the 'Cats lead. The Wildcats sealed the deal with 50 second left to pay as Reuter made both free-throw and extended their lead to 10 points.
Next.
The Wildcats will host the Loggers of Puget Sound on January 5
th at 4:00 p.m. in Ted Wilson Gymnasium.