PARKLAND, Wash. – Pacific Lutheran had two big quarters to beat the Linfield women's basketball team 63-54 in their second meeting in nine days Friday night at Olson Auditorium.
Linfield took a 12-7 lead after one quarter, but PLU outscored the Wildcats 20-12 in the second period to go up by three at halftime. The 'Cats grabbed the momentum back out of the break, scoring 21 points in the third while limiting the Lutes to 14. It was all Lutes down the stretch as they put up 22 in the final period to seal the nine-point victory on their home court.
Josie Napoli finished with a game-high 20 points on 6 of 20 from the field to go with a three-pointer and seven free throws. She also had three rebounds and four assists. Ava Edmonds dropped 15 points and grabbed six rebounds while Mady Simmelink scored seven points and pulled down eight rebounds.
Both teams struggled offensively with the Lutes shooting 31.7 percent from the field to the Wildcats' 28.4 percent. The 'Cats went 8 for 29 from three-point range. They outrebounded the Lutes 41-38 and scored 18 points in the paint.
The 'Cats were led offensively by 10 points from both senior guard
Brooke Landis and freshman forward
Elyse Waldal. Landis went 4 for 8 from the field and 2 for 5 from beyond the arc. She had three rebounds and dished out two assists. Waldal connected on 3 of 9 from the field, 2 of 4 from outside and 2 of 2 from the free throw line. Senior forward
Maggie Smith finished with eight points and six rebounds while freshman forward
Gillyan Landis led all players with 12 boards.
NEXT
The 'Cats (1-22, 1-14 NWC) wrap up the season at home, hosting Willamette at 4 p.m. on Saturday at Ted Wilson Gymnasium. The men's game will follow at 6 p.m. Saturday's meeting with the Bearcats marks Senior Day for both squads.