McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Linfield kept pace with Oregon Tech in the first half, but a 42-point second half lifted the Owls over the Wildcats Saturday night at Ted Wilson Gymnasium.
Linfield trailed 27-24 going into halftime. Oregon Tech came out of the break firing, scoring 21 points in both the third and fourth quarters to claim a 69-48 victory in the Wildcats' 2022-23 season opener. The Owls made 10 of 11 shots in the third quarter before knocking down another eight shots, including a pair of threes, in the fourth.
On the night, OIT shot 50 percent from the field, scoring 40 points in the paint and 14 points off 14 Linfield turnovers. The 'Cats scored just as many points off turnovers while the bench contributed 32 of the team's 48 points. The 'Cats were 9 of 12 from the free throw line.
The 'Cats ended both halves better than they started them. They dropped 13 points in the second quarter thanks to a trio of three-pointers. They matched the 13 points in the fourth quarter, closing the game with their best shooting period of the night.
Sophomore Riley Cusack led Linfield with eight points on 3 of 8 from the field, including 2 of 3 from beyond the arc. Freshman Eve Burke scored seven points in 14 minutes off the bench in her collegiate debut while
Alexis Heald, Ella Koebelin and Miki Vermeulen all added six points. Vermeulen finished tied for the team high with
Janessa Yniguez with four rebounds while Koebelin contributed three rebounds to go with three assists.
Rowan Cusack led the 'Cats with five assists and three steals, finishing tied for the game high in both categories.
Melissa Lee, Olivia Sprague and Maddyson Tull all went off for 17 points to carry OIT. Lee and Sprague grabbed a game-high six rebounds apiece. Sprague added five assists and two steals while Lee had two assists, a block and three steals.
NEXT
Linfield opened its season 0-1 and will look to bounce back when the 'Cats play Walla Walla on Tuesday in College Place, Washington. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. at the Wolves' Windemuth Court.