McMINNVILLE, Ore. – The offense continues to churn effectively for the Linfield Wildcats, who won big on Friday night, 96-69, over the Puget Sound Loggers at Ted Wilson Gymnasium.
 
The Wildcats (15-5, 9-2 in NWC) were effective up and down the lineup, scoring 50 first-half points before netting another 46 in the second half. Linfield made 11 first-half three-pointers, shooting 55 percent from deep in the half. The Wildcats only made eight non-threes to open the game, but still shot an impressive 57.6 percent for the half. Linfield took a 15-point lead into the half.

"Tonight was a pretty special night," said Linfield coach Shanan Rosenberg. "We had our shots firing on all cylinders. There was tremendous sharing of the ball and determined play all night."
 
Linfield's 18 total three-pointers were the most made in a game for the 'Cats this season and is tied for the second most in a game in program history. For the game, the Wildcats shot 53 percent from three and 58 percent for the game from the field. Eight different players made at least one three, and six of those players converted on at least half of their three-point attempts.
 
Dempsey Roggenbuck led the Wildcats with 20 points on 8 of 11 shooting and 4 for 6 from beyond the three-point line in 24 minutes. Max Lommen had 14 points in 17 minutes, making five of seven shots and three of his four three-pointers. Tanner Autencio and Grant Gibb each had 13 points, making five shots, including three three-pointers. Aaron Baune also contributed 10 with six rebounds to equal Austin Hilton as leading rebounders for Linfield.

 "Dempsey was sensational tonight, he was really in a groove. Max had a wonderful game on both sides of the ball, it's been great to see him blossom of late. I'm really proud of him. Autencio and Matt Berger also player very efficient games and both made great defensive plays for us."

All-in-all, Linfield had 18 players play on the evening and 11 different players scored at least one basket. The Wildcats' bench contributed 32 points, while the team as a whole created 22 points off 13 Loggers turnovers.  Puget Sound last had the lead three minutes into the game, going up seven points before Linfield took charge.
 
Austin Hilton was tied for the team lead in assists with four along with Will Burghardt, who returned to action after missing the last five games due to injury. Reece Gibb set a new career-high with six points, making both of his three-point attempts.
 
Stellan Roberts led Puget Sound with 15 points in the losing effort with two rebounds and assists. Jourdan Joseph made four three-pointers to add 12 points. The Loggers shot 33 percent from the field, but did make 14 threes in the game. The loss dropped the Loggers to 9-11 overall and 3-8 in NWC.
 
"I loved how we came out in the second half and played with determined focus and executed beautifully," said the coach. "Puget Sound has been playing excellent of late so we knew we needed to bring it. We'll enjoy this, but I know we are all focused on PLU Saturday night."

UP NEXT
Linfield hosts playoff contender Pacific Lutheran (10-10, 6-5 in NWC) at 6 p.m on Saturday. The Wildcats defeated the Lutes in Parkland, 68-54, earlier this season.