SPOKANE, WASH. – The Linfield Wildcats (10-11) traveled to Washington to take on Whitworth (11-10) in the Whitworth Field House on February 8^th. Last time the two teams squared off in McMinnville, Linfield was able to come up with the win edging the Pirates by four points. The two teams are currently battling for the fourth seed in the Northwest Conference standings and a chance at the playoffs.  Tonight's win, 80-72 gives the 'Cats a NWC playoff spot with three games to go!
 
'Cat stats
Molly Danielson started out the first half with 16 points and eight rebounds and quickly had her tenth double-double of the season with 3:30 left to play in the third quarter. Danielson finished the game with 14 rebounds and 21 points. Counter-part Kory Oleson added a game high of 25 points and pulled down six rebounds while blocking four shots. Jordyn Feuinauer had a career high of 17 points making five of nine from the behind the arc. Guard Cameron Reuter added six points and six rebounds for the 'Cats while Cassidy Schutz and Maggie Smith each added four points.
 
Pirates' stats  
The Pirates were led by Camy Aguinaldo with 24 points and four assists. Two other Whitworth players were able to get in the double digits as well: Talia Brander (13) and Madison Moffat (12). The Pirates shot 39.2% from the field and 53.8% from the free-throw line.
 
1st Half
Linfield won the opening tip and scored on their opening possession as Schutz found Oleson under the basket for an easy layup. After, a few missed opportunities on the Pirates end, Whitworth took the lead from the 'Cats as the knocked down a three then converted on a pair of free-throws. Danielson cut a Whitworth eight-point run as pulled down an offensive rebound and got the put-back. The Pirates were able to extend their lead to six-points as Brandner knocks down a jumper at the buzzer.  Whitworth kept their momentum from the first half and picked up four-points off of back-to-back lay ups to extend their lead to ten. Three easy buckets from the block by Danielson cut the Pirates lead to eight points with five minutes left to play in the first half. The Wildcats were able to get within one point as Danielson knocked down two free throws and then Maggie Smith picked up a steal and an easy bucket with just over three minutes left. Linfield took the lead back as Danielson added two more points and Feinauer knocked down a three to make it 32-28. Whitworth would not go down without a fight as Whitworth buried a three at the buzzer to tie it up at 34.
 
2nd Half
Whitworth got on top first but Feinauer tied it up as she knocked down both of her free-throws. The 'Cats and Pirates went back-and-forth for the whole quarter, Danielson was able to pick up her tenth double-double of the season with 3:30 left to play in the third quarter. The Pirates had the lead going into the fourth quarter. Hanna Bingham started off the fourth quarter with a layup and the Wildcats kept the momentum as Oleson and Schutz tied the score up and then a three by Feinauer gave Linfield the lead back. Linfield and Whitworth continued to go back-and-forth in the fourth quarter a nice high-low look from Danielson to Oleson to give the Wildcats a four-point lead. A big steal by Cameron Reuter with 25 second solidified the 'Cats win as the pirates had to foul the 'Cats allowing them to extend their lead.
 
Next
Linfield will be back in action on Saturday, February 9^th at Whitman College for a 4:00 p.m. tip off in Walla Walla, Washington.