McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Despite a banner night from
Janessa Yniguez, Linfield fell to Whitworth by a score of 60-53 Saturday night at Ted Wilson Gymnasium.
The senior from Santa Cruz, California, dropped a career-high 19 points, knocking down 7 of 9 from the field, including 4 of 6 from three-point range, to lead the Wildcats. The 19 points surpassed her previous best mark of 16, scored against Lewis & Clark last season. Starting in her 17
th straight game for the 'Cats, Yniguez also added three rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals.
Linfield took a one-point lead into the locker room but trailed by the same amount after three quarters. Whitworth caught fire down the stretch, going 7 for 9 from the field with two three-pointers in the fourth quarter to outscore the 'Cats 22-16.
Miki Vermeulen also had a big performance for Linfield. The freshman matched her career high of 11 points on 4 of 9 from the field.
Jordan Worthington contributed seven points while
Gillyan Landis scored six points and led the team with eight rebounds.
Whitworth shot 41.4 percent from the field but made just 21.4 percent from beyond the arc. All the Pirates' field goals from outside came in the second half.
Olivia Mayer led the Pirates with a monster double-double of 27 points and 11 rebounds. She took 28 shots, draining 13 of them for a 46.4 field goal percentage. Kimberly Dewey was a strong No. 2 with 16 points.
NEXT
Linfield's (8-9, 4-4 NWC) even record in Northwest Conference play puts the 'Cats in a three-way tie for fourth place with Willamette and George Fox. The 'Cats open the second half of NWC play next week, hosting Pacific on Friday before playing the Bruins in Newberg on Saturday.