MARSHALL, Texas. --- Linfield women's basketball (3-0) continued last night's momentum into the Saturday matinee, dropping the Piedmont Lions at the Thanksgiving Classic, 68-47.
 
After Piedmont scored the first six points, Linfield responded shortly after, Tana Hoekema put the Wildcats on the board with a second-chance finish, and the group locked in from there. Eve Burke sparked the shift with multiple drives to the rim and a fast-break score, while Amelia Solt added a midrange jumper to even the game. Miki Vermeulen knocked down a transition three that pushed Linfield in front for the first time with 1:59 remaining in the first. The Wildcats closed the period on a 21–11 run, fueled by eight forced turnovers.
 
Linfield continued to build its advantage in the second quarter, Burke drilled two threes to extend the Wildcats' lead to double-digits. Bench production also played an important role, highlighted by Lauren Buchanan's late-quarter three and a jumper from Skylar Willey in the final seconds. Linfield entered halftime ahead 36–23, having held Piedmont to just four made field goals in the quarter.
 
Piedmont tightened defensively after halftime and made its strongest push in the third quarter, scoring inside to trim the deficit. Even with a seven-minute scoring drought, Linfield prevented Piedmont from gaining full momentum, and the Wildcats carried a 46–38 lead into the fourth.
 
Linfield closed the game with one of its sharpest quarters of the night, outscoring Piedmont 22–9. Hoekema and Vermeulen provided the first nine-points of the final quarter herself, once again extending the 'Cats lead to 17. Mead tallied eight assists for the game, Jordan Roberts, Jayden Ray, and Natalie Rosetti helped Linfield down the stretch. Linfield cruised to a 21-point win over Piedmont, remaining undefeated to begin the season. The 'Cats look ahead to their toughest test in ETBU on Monday.
 
Hoekema led Linfield with 15 points and six rebounds, Burke added 12 points, including two threes, while Vermeulen filled the stat sheet with 10 points, seven rebounds, and three steals. Solt contributed nine points, and Mead anchored the offense with four steals and a team-high eight assists. Buchanan, Willey, Ray, and Rosetti provided important sparks off the bench.
 
Women's basketball wraps up the Texas trip on Monday afternoon, taking on East Texas Baptist at 5:30 p.m. central. The ETBU Tigers received national-ranking votes in the d3hoops.com Preseason National Rankings. 
 
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