FOREST GROVE, Ore. – Grant Gibb poured in 24 points and Austin Hilton totaled season highs with 20 points and 12 rebounds to send the Linfield Wildcats into the Northwest Conference Tournament on a roll following a 97-89 road win Saturday night over the Pacific Boxers at Stoller Center.
 
With victories in their final two regular-season contests, the Wildcats moved to 17-8 overall, marking the most wins since 2001. Finishing in third place in the conference with a 10-6 record, Linfield earned its third straight NWC Tournament appearance under Coach Shanan Rosenberg.
 
"It's always great to win on the road, especially when you don't shoot it well," said Rosenberg. "Pacific's frenetic style creates a chaos game that can be tough to play. Fortunately, we made enough plays and locked up defensively down the stretch."
 
As the NWC's No. 3 seed, the 'Cats are matched against Whitworth in a first-round playoff game Thursday at 7 p.m. in Spokane, Washington. NWC champion Whitman will host Puget Sound in the other tournament semifinal with the winners meeting in the championship game Saturday night on the floor of the highest remaining seed. The winner of the NWC Tournament claims the NWC's coveted automatic berth to the NCAA Division III playoffs.
 
'Cat Stats
Gibb sank 7 of 12 from the floor, including a season-high seven three-pointers. Hilton enjoyed a career night, hitting 9 of 12 underneath the basket. Among his dozen rebounds, Hilton collared five boards at the offensive end, helping Linfield notch 19 second-chance points.
 
Tanner Autencio added 13 points and 11 rebounds, and Riley Bruil scord 11 points to go with six assists and five rebounds.
 
Linfield used its size advantage to outrebound Pacific 52-36. The Boxers, however, forced 22 Wildcat turnovers, helping keep the margin within single digits for all but the final five minutes of the game.
 
Boxers box score
Marcus Wallace led Pacific with 19 points, six rebounds and a pair of steals. Andrew Butterfield totaled 15 points while Gage Shelmidine came off the bench to contribute 12 points, four assists and three rebounds. John Rigatti had 10 points on 4 of 5 shooting.
 
Rosenberg's remarks
"Austin Hilton played his heart out and gave us some great rebounds tonight. Grant Gibb round his rhythm and was by far our brightest spot from 3.
 
"Riley played exceptionally efficient with only one turnover and sevent assists. His defense was on point all night.
 
"I was proud how we overcame some tough shooting and got stops when we needed down the stretch. Riley made it clear to the team in our last timeout that we weren't losing tonight and it inspired the guys I thought. It was very special for me to see Riley and his fellow seniors be able to go out posting their best record. I'm excited to see what we can do in Spokane, I know our guys will be ready. 
 
"We will prepare for another trip to Spokane and an excellent Whitworth team. Always good to be in the post-season discussion."
 
Next
Linfield faces Whitworth in Spokane for the opening round of the NWC Tournament for the second time in three seasons. Though the Pirates swept the Wildcats in both meetings this season, the Wildcats were defeated by a combined margin of four points.