McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Pacific Lutheran marched into Ted Wilson Gymnasium looking for its first win of the season, but Linfield refused to be the Lutes' first victim as the Wildcats defended their home court with a 74-63 win Friday night.
The 11-point victory secured a 2-0 week for the Wildcats (7-6, 3-1 NWC), who climbed above the .500 mark and retained their third-place spot in the Northwest Conference standings.
Pacific Lutheran made 50 percent of its shots in the first half, which included a 4 for 8 mark from three-point range. But a 22-point effort from Linfield in the first quarter helped send the Wildcats into the break up 38-34. The Lutes put up 21 points in the third quarter to tie the game at 55-apiece, but the 'Cats outscored PLU 19-8 in the final period to post the difference.
The Wildcats shot 40 percent or better in every quarter. They finished the night connecting on 48.3 percent from the field and 45.5 percent from beyond the arc. The 'Cats scored 30 points in the paint and 18 points off as many turnovers.
Freshman
Ella Koebelin established a new career high with 19 points in a team-leading 32 minutes. She went 8 for 15 from the field and 2 for 4 from deep while adding three rebounds, five assists and a steal. Fellow freshman
Eve Burke came up just short of her first career double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds. She knocked down 4 of 5 from the field, making all three of her attempts from outside.
Four 'Cats finished in double figures. Sophomore
Gillyan Landis made 50 percent of her shots on her way to scoring 12 points while senior
Janessa Yniguez matched Burke's 11 points and dished out three assists.
The Lutes saw a valiant effort from Ava Edmonds, who dropped a game-high 27 points on 8 of 14 from the field and 5 of 7 from three-point range. She completed a double-double with 13 rebounds. Ashley Akamine scored 13 points while Taylor Schmidtke had 11 points and eight rebounds.
NEXT
The 'Cats will split their travel schedule next week, playing at Lewis & Clark at 6 p.m. on Jan. 13 before returning to action the next day to host Puget Sound at 4 p.m. inside TWG.