SPOKANE, Wash. – Linfield scored 24 points in the fourth quarter to attempt a late comeback, but it wasn't enough to offset a 44-point second half for Whitworth as the Pirates defended their home court with a 70-62 win over the Wildcats Friday night at the Whitworth Fieldhouse.
The Wildcats shook off a rough start and connected on 53.3 percent from the field in the second quarter. They held the Pirates under double figures to take a 28-26 lead into the break.
The Pirates returned the favor in the third quarter, going 9 for 16 from the field and 3 for 6 from three-point range to outscore the 'Cats, 22-10. The Bucs dropped another 22 points in the fourth quarter to officially eliminate the 'Cats (10-14, 6-9 NWC) from playoff contention.
Linfield won the battle in the paint and turned the ball over just 11 times.
Gillyan Landis shot 5 for 10 from the field with a three-pointer on her way to scoring 16 points. She added five rebounds and a steal. It was her third straight game scoring in double figures.
Jordan Worthington put up 12 points on 5 of 9 from the field while
Anna Dazey scored eight points and grabbed six rebounds.
Miki Vermeulen led the 'Cats with seven rebounds.
Quincy McDeid went 6 for 13 from the field, 2 for 5 from beyond the arc and a perfect 6 for 6 from the free throw line. She led all players with 20 points. Olivia Mayer registered a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds while Kimberly Dewey nearly picked up a double-double with 16 points and nine rebounds.
NEXT
Linfield will end its turnaround season in Walla Walla, playing at Whitman at 4 p.m. Saturday. The 'Cats look to play spoiler as the Blues (18-5, 13-2 NWC) are tied for first place with Puget Sound (20-4, 13-2 NWC) and are chasing a Northwest Conference regular-season title and the top seed in the NWC Tournament.