Claremont, Calif. – Linfield opened its 2024-25 season on the road Thursday night, falling 92-64 to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps at Roberts Pavilion. The game marked the start of head coach
Levi Sieg's second season at the helm, and although the Wildcats showed promise, they couldn't overcome a slow start and turnovers.
The first half saw the Wildcats trailing 45-29, as they struggled to contain the offensive firepower of the Stags. Despite the deficit, senior
Jake Downing led Linfield's scoring effort with 16 points, including a red-hot 4-of-8 from beyond the arc. Downing, who played 27 minutes, also pulled down four rebounds.
Junior
Cade Collins added 14 points, impressing at the free-throw line with a perfect 6-for-6 performance. Collins also contributed three steals, showcasing his defensive versatility, but it wasn't enough to stop Claremont-Mudd-Scripps from extending their lead in the second half.
Dayton Magaña poured in 12 points of his own while freshman
Percy Whittaker III contributed a solid effort, scoring four points and grabbing two rebounds in 12 minutes of play. Fellow freshman
Zach Luz added two points and grabbed two rebounds in his nine minutes of action.
The Wildcats shot 42.3% from the field and struggled from three-point range, converting 6-of-27 attempts. Their defense was active, collecting nine steals, but 16 turnovers proved costly, preventing them from gaining any momentum.
Joshua Ryan dished out three assists while also grabbing three rebounds. Linfield's bench added 24 points, with
Garrett Callsen contributing two points, four rebounds, and a block in 15 minutes.
The Stags offensive efforts were guided by Caelan Jones who shot 8-of-13 from the field for 21 points and six rebounds in 28 minutes.
NEXT
Linfield continues its California road trip on Saturday against Whittier at 5 p.m.