KIRKLAND, Wash. –
Miki Vermeulen hit the shot of the year so far for Linfield, sinking just her third three-pointer of the season at the buzzer to lift the Wildcats to a gritty 55-53 non-conference road win over the Northwest (Wash.) Eagles Wednesday night at Kristi Brodin Pavilion.
Linfield trailed by one point with 13.2 seconds left on the clock. The Northwest defense flocked to the ball, double-teaming
Janessa Yniguez. But Yniguez was able to get a pass off to a wide-open Vermeulen, who was mobbed by her teammates after banking in her second basket of the night to send the Wildcats into the new year in the win column.
The freshman Vermeulen finished the night with five points, three rebounds and an assist in her fifth straight start.
Gillyan Landis led the 'Cats with her third consecutive double-double and fourth of the season. She went 7 for 10 from the field on her way to dropping a season-high 20 points to go with 11 rebounds, an assist and a block.
Ella Koebelin scored 14 points on 50 percent shooting. She made two of the team's five shots from beyond the arc and was a perfect 6 for 6 from the free throw line.
Jordan Worthington made 3 of 4 from the field, scoring eight points and grabbing six rebounds in the sixth start of her senior campaign.
Linfield went into the fourth quarter down 40-36 but outscored Northwest 19-13 in the final period to stun the Eagles on their home court. The Eagles led by as much as seven points with just over eight minutes remaining in regulation. The 'Cats made 50 percent of their shots while limiting the Eagles to two field goals in the fourth quarter.
Kyrin Baklund made her second of two free throws with 14 seconds left to give the home team a 53-52 advantage. She scored a game-high 24 points, knocking down 6 of 13 from the field, 2 of 5 from three-point range and 10 of 14 from the charity stripe. She also collected five rebounds, three assists, a block and three steals. Maya DuChesne also finished in double figures with 11 points.
NEXT
The win over Northwest closed Linfield's non-conference schedule. The 'Cats (5-6, 1-1 NWC) return to Northwest Conference play at home, hosting Willamette on Jan. 3 and Pacific Lutheran on Jan. 6. Both games are set to tip off at 6 p.m. at Ted Wilson Gymnasium.