McMINNVILLE, Ore. – The Wildcats welcomed Pacific Lutheran to Ted Wilson Gymnasium for their first Northwest Conference matchup on Friday evening.
Ella Koebelin (16) led three double-digit scorers for Linfield as the Wildcats grabbed their first NWC win, topping the Lutes 65-55.
Amelia Solt and
Eve Burke finished with 15 and 14 points respectively.
Miki Vermeulen grabbed a game-high eight rebounds and chipped in seven points. The Wildcats shot 43 percent from the field on 53 shot attempts and 41 percent from behind the arc.
Pacific Lutheran's Ava Edmonds led all scorers with 19 points. Brandie Tobin was the only other Lutes player to finish in double figures with 15 points. The Lutes shot 43 percent on 51 shot attempts and 31 percent from three.
Koebelin led Linfield to a first-quarter lead. She converted two threes as the Wildcats held a 19-14 lead after the first 10 minutes. The Lutes erased the five-point deficit to even the score and take the lead in the second quarter. A late Linfield score gave the 'Cats a 33-31 lead at the break. Tobin led all scores at halftime with 13 points.
The Wildcats lead climbed to as high as 13 in the third quarter. Linfield combined for six made threes and held an 11-point lead going into the final quarter. The Lutes (4-2, 0-1 NWC) clawed back within four after outscoring but Linfield closed out the win making six free throws in the final minute.
COMING UP
The Wildcats (3-3, 1-0 NWC) return to action on Saturday at Lewis & Clark with tip-off scheduled for 4 p.m.