McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Linfield picked up a late surge but fell 64-42 to defending Northwest Conference champion Whitman Friday night at Ted Wilson Gymnasium.
 
The Blues won the game in the paint, scoring 46 points in the key while turning 32 Linfield turnovers into 37 points. They led the entire 40 minutes, growing their lead to as much as 27 points in the closing minute of the third quarter.
 
The Wildcats shot just north of 36 percent from the field. Both teams struggled from three-point range. The 'Cats made 2 of 11 from beyond the arc while the Blues went 3 for 11. The 'Cats connected on 9 of 11 shots from the free throw line on their way to putting up 16 points in a strong fourth-quarter effort.
 
Jordan Worthington dropped 11 points and grabbed six rebounds to lead Linfield. She knocked down 5 of 8 from the field, bringing her team-leading field goal percentage to 50 percent on the season. The senior is second on the team with 6.7 points and four rebounds per game.
 
Freshman Miki Vermeulen backed Worthington up with eight points and a team-best seven rebounds. She added two blocks to her performance. Eve Burke, Alexis Heald, Gillyan Landis and Kaylee Schow contributed four points apiece.

Linfield held Whitman to nine points in the second quarter, but the Blues found their rhythm again with 24 points in the third period.
 
Elena McHargue led a group of four Whitman players to score in double figures. In 38 minutes, McHargue drained eight of her shots for 17 points to go with four rebounds, two assists and six steals. Korin Baker scored 15 points and added eight rebounds, three blocks and as many steals. Lindsay Drango scored 11 points while Carly Martin had 10. Natalie Lundberg topped McHargue's six steals with eight of her own to round out a strong push by the Blues' starting rotation.
 
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Linfield (8-8, 4-3 NWC) is still in the playoff mix, sitting in a three-way tie for third place with neighboring Pacific and Willamette.
 
The 'Cats look to shake off back-to-back home losses when they host Whitworth on Saturday. Tipoff with the Pirates is set for 4 p.m. at TWG. Read Full Article