THE RECORDS
After splitting games against Pacific Lutheran and Puget Sound, Linfield (5-8, 2-2 NWC) enters the week buoyed by its thrilling overtime win over the Lutes. The Wildcats find themselves in sixth place of the Northwest Conference standings just behind Lewis & Clark (6-7, 2-2 NWC) in fifth who is coming off back to back losses to Whitman and Whitworth. Willamette (6-6, 0-4 NWC) is still trying to find its footing in conference play after also losing to Whitman and Whitworth last week and looks to get back on track against the Wildcats.
 
LINFIELD AT A GLANCE
After a 2-6 start, Linfield has begun to turn its season around, winning three of the past five games. Three-point shooting has been a major factor for the turnaround as the Wildcats rank third in the conference in three-point percentage at 36.1% and second with 8.5 three-pointers per game. Dayton Magaña leads the NWC in three-point percentage (44.4%) and is averaging 2.2 makes per contest. Cade Collins has taken the top scoring spot for the Wildcats, averaging 12 points and also leads the conference in free throw percentage (97.2%). Cayden Lowenbach maintains his lead for rebounding at 4.3 and has become a force in the paint with 10 blocks on the season.
 
LEWIS & CLARK AT A GLANCE
Lewis & Clark boasts the strongest defense in the conference, allowing just 62.6 points per game and opposing teams are shooting 39.7% from the field against the Pioneers. The stifling defense is directed by Nate Berg who averages one steal and 1.1 blocks per game. Sebastian DePrez registers 6.6 rebounds and Sam Henderson captains the scoring efforts (11.2) alongside Mikey Medlock Jr. (10.1). Lewis & Clark has struggled on offense, averaging 73.8 points as a team, but do a good job taking care of the ball, turning the ball over 12 times per contest.
 
WILLAMETTE AT A GLANCE
The Bearcats are averaging 78.9 points per game and are allowing 77.2 to opponents. Josiah Frank leads the scoring attack with 13.6 points while Kai Brown adds 12.1. Caleb Moore is the key distributor with 2.9 assists and also is the teams most efficient shooter at 52.3% on his field goals. Brandin Dantzler holds down the paint with nine blocks on the season while the team averages 8.3 steals. Willamette is hungry for its first conference win of the season and should make for a great matchup in Ted Wilson Gymnasium.
 
SERIES HISTORY
Linfield trails Lewis & Clark 52-63 in the all-time series and has lost the previous two meetings with the Pioneers. The Wildcats hold a slight edge when playing at home, 28-27.
 
At 56-59 all-time, Linfield narrowly trails the Bearcats and have split the season series for the past two years. The Wildcats lead 28-26 when playing at home and aim to build on that number this weekend.