The Linfield women's basketball team takes on three games this week, starting with a short trip to Newberg on Wednesday as the Wildcats make up Jan. 15's postponed game at George Fox. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Bruins' Wheeler Sports Center. The 'Cats will then return home to host Whitworth at 6 p.m. on Friday and Whitman at 4 p.m. on Saturday at Ted Wilson Gymnasium.

THE RECORDS
Linfield enters the week at 0-16 overall and 0-8 in Northwest Conference play. George Fox sits in fifth place at 7-9 overall and 3-4 in NWC play while Whitworth is 8-11 overall with a 3-7 NWC mark. Whitman remains in first place at 18-1 overall with a perfect 10-0 NWC mark. The Blues' only blemish was a 72-63 loss at UC Santa Cruz on Dec. 20.

LINFIELD AT A GLANCE
The Wildcats are averaging 57.4 points per game and rank fifth in the NWC with a 39.8 field goal percentage. Junior guard Janessa Yniguez led the team in scoring in both games last week, dropping a career-high 16 points against Lewis & Clark before scoring 10 points against Puget Sound. Freshman forward Gillyan Landis leads the 'Cats and ranks 11^th in the NWC with 11.7 points per game while also ranking fifth with a 49.3 field goal percentage. Freshman guard Emma Schmerbach is averaging 9.1 points and five rebounds per game while freshman forward Elyse Waldal is scoring 8.2 points per game.

GEORGE FOX AT A GLANCE
The Bruins are fresh off a pair of wins over Pacific Lutheran and a nationally-ranked Puget Sound team that sits in second place in the NWC standings. Freshman Alyssa Wells is the team's leading scorer with 9.3 points per game, connecting on 36.4 percent from the field. Senior Cassidy Posey and sophomore Ella Roberts are averaging 7.6 points apiece while junior Emily Stephens ranks ninth in the NWC with 5.8 rebounds per game. Posey ranks ninth with a 46.6 field goal percentage while Wells is fourth with 2.1 three-pointers per game.
 
WHITWORTH AT A GLANCE
The Pirates own a 40.7 team field goal percentage and a 31.5 three-point percentage, both of which rank third in the NWC. Three players are averaging double figures, led by senior Megan Dorney's 13.6 points per game to go with 6.6 rebounds per game. Sophomore Olivia Mayer is averaging 12.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Senior Quincy McDeid is putting up 10.7 points per game. Mayer is third in the NWC with a 50.8 field goal percentage while McDeid is second with an 85.9 percentage from the free throw line.

WHITMAN AT A GLANCE
The Blues lead the NWC with a 14.2 scoring margin, scoring 71.5 points per game while allowing 57.4 points per game. Senior Kaylie McCracken is averaging a double-double, ranking second in the NWC with 17.3 points per game while leading the conference with 10 rebounds per game. She also ranks second with a 51.5 field goal percentage. Sophomore Korin Baker is averaging 12.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while leading the NWC with a 60.5 field goal percentage. Senior Kaelan Shamseldin is scoring 9.2 points per game and is second in the NWC with 38 three-pointers made.

HISTORY
Linfield and George Fox have faced off 83 times in their cross-county rivalry. The 'Cats are just 22-61 against the Bruins all-time. The Bruins are riding a 27-game winning streak against the 'Cats. The last win for Linfield came back on Jan. 23, 2007, at TWG. This will be the first meeting between the two teams this season. The Bruins won all four meetings in the abbreviated spring 2021 season.

Linfield and Whitworth have met 66 times. The Pirates own a commanding lead in the series with a 55-11 record against the 'Cats. The 'Cats are looking for their first win against Whitworth since they swept the Pirates in 2018-19. The Pirates took the first meeting of the season, 81-64, on Jan. 18 in Spokane.

Linfield and Whitman have met 68 times with the Blues leading the series at 49-19. Whitman has won 23 straight meetings as the 'Cats look to pick up their first win over the Blues since the 2006-07 season. The Blues won the first meeting of the season, 65-48, on Jan. 19 in Walla Walla.

UPDATED INDOOR SPECTATOR POLICY
COVID cases are declining in Oregon, however, we still need to continue to ensure that all members of our community remain as healthy as possible during the COVID pandemic. Therefore, Linfield Athletics is adjusting our current athletic contest spectator policy to the following:

• For our remaining home-based basketball games, all Linfield students/staff/faculty must provide their Linfield Photo ID at the door and admission will be free.
• All other SPECTATORS (5 and older) MUST provide proof of full vaccination AND a photo ID at the door. Proof of a booster is not required yet. Vaccination information will be checked before spectators are admitted to purchase their tickets. Admission will be $10.00 for adults (18 and over) and $5.00 for non-Linfield college or university students, seniors, and children 6-17.
• Linfield University policy requires everyone to wear an appropriate mask that covers the nose and mouth while inside our buildings.
• All participants, coaches, spectators and operations personnel must comply with mask use while inside our facilities (except players or officials during active competition and practice). This means wearing the mask over your mouth & nose at all times.  
• There will be no band attendance.
• Concessions will not be sold until further notice. Food is not allowed in our venues, but non-alcoholic drinks may be consumed during events as long as proper masking is taking place between actively taking a drink.
• These adjustments are still temporary and will be re-evaluated regularly.