CALDWELL, Idaho – Facing one of the top teams in the NAIA, the Linfield Wildcats fell 85-62 to the Eastern Oregon Mountaineers on the campus of College of Idaho in the Best Western Caldwell Inn and Suites Classic. Shasta Lofgren had 10 points off the bench against the Mountaineers, who are ranked number nine in the NAIA Top-25.
 
Linfield got off to a big start in the first quarter leading 13-9 on a three-pointer by Cassidy Schutz, but Eastern Oregon came back to lead at the end of the first quarter, 20-18.
 
The Mountaineers led by 20 points from Megan Still and 17 from Beverly Slater took a 41-36 lead at the half and went on to win this one, 85-62.
 
Linfield scored 11 of the last 17 points of the game, but the early deficit was too much to overcome for the 'Cats.
 
For the Wildcats, Molly Danielson led the way with 17 points, seven rebounds and an assist.
 
Lofgren came off the bench and shot four for five, including two for two from the three-point line to add 10 points off the bench. Heald added eight points off the bench shooting 50 percent from the field.
 
Joining Danielson in the starting lineup, Kory Oleson scored nine points, and a steal, Schutz added five points, five rebounds, four assists, Jordyn Feinauer tallied three points, three rebounds, while Delaney Ragan added two points and three rebounds.
 
The Wildcats had 26 bench points, with Lofgren and Heald combining for 18, while Hanna Bingham added four, going four for four from the free-throw line, Jordan Worthington added three points and Paige LaFountain added one.
 
Linfield is now 1-1 against teams that are ranked in the NAIA polls, beating Oregon Tech 89-75 on November 10, who is ranked #21 in the NAIA Top-25.
 
UP NEXT
Linfield plays its final non-conference away game of the season against the College of Idaho on Saturday, who won the first meeting 70-66 earlier this season in McMinnville. Tip-off for the game on Saturday is scheduled for 5 p.m. Mountain Time.