FOREST GROVE, Ore.- It wasn't the prettiest game that the Linfield Wildcats have ever played, but Grant Gibb and Aaron Baune led the 'Cats to a victory over the Pacific Boxers, 93-91. Gibb led all scorers with 20 points to go along with 7 rebounds and 3 assists. Baune, in his first career start, dropped 17 points and had six rebounds in the Northwest Conference opener at the Stoller Center.
As always in a game against the Boxers under Justin Lunt, the pace was frenetic, with both teams going back and forth. Linfield got going early with 10 first half points from Will Burghardt. Max Lommen and Carson Bonine added seven points each in the half and the Wildcats shot over 55 percent.
"That was a really physical, intense and hard-fought game by both teams," said Wildcats coach Shanan Rosenberg. "We were fortunate to make enough plays to hold on for the win.
"It seemed like a different guy stepped up and made a big swing play when we needed it. We were a few wide-open looks away from separating in a significant way, but I give Pacific a lot of credit for playing so hard and never giving in."
Pacific put in a strong first half effort as well, led by top-five NWC scorer Marcus Wallace who had seven points. John Riggatti also tacked on seven points in a first half marred by turnovers, with 18 total in the frame. Linfield would take a six-point lead into the break, 53-47.
In the second half, it seemed to be going all Linfield's way, with the Wildcats extending their lead to a game-high 14 points on a Gibb three-pointer at the nine minute mark. But the 'Cats went cold from three-point range, only hitting 30 percent in the second half and the Boxers would claw their way back into the game.
Davis Holly caught fire once again against Linfield, scoring five of the next nine points for Pacific on a 14-3 run. Just like that, Pacific had narrowed the Linfield lead to three. The 'Cats would respond with baskets from Lommen, Tanner Autencio, and Gibb to get the lead to seven.
But again, Holly would have a response. The senior and fourth leading scorer in program history scored five straight points in a final gasp to tie things up. But a great defensive stop by Linfield on Marcus Wallace led to a free layup on the other end by Will Burghardt, securing the win. Davis Holly would hit a 35-footer as time expired to make it only a two-point loss for the Boxers.
Holly would finish the game as the leading scorer for Pacific with 16. Wallace struggled to 12 points on 4-17 shooting. Linfield ended with six players in double-figures, including all five starters and Max Lommen. Austin Hilton was a monster on the boards with seven rebounds, three offensive.
"Aaron Baune and Grant Gibb were very efficient on offense and both fought hard in the paint all night," praised Rosenberg. "Austin Hilton's defense and rebounding was spectacular tonight. He did an awesome job shutting down rim attacks and rotating defensively."
"Tanner Autencio did a remarkable job considering the minutes he played and only three turnovers against their pressure all night," said Rosenberg. "I was very happy for Max Lommen who had struggled the last two games and I was very hard on him this past week and he responded beautifully.
"For Carson Bonine to step into his first NWC game and play like that was amazing. That should build his confidence and he made some very timely plays."
UP NEXT
Linfield (7-3, 1-0) will host Yamhill County rivals George Fox (5-5, 1-0) on Saturday in McMinnville. Tip-off is at 6 PM, with coverage on the Linfield Sports Network beginning at 5:40.