MARSHALL, Texas --- Linfield women's basketball (3-1) fell to No. 21 East Texas Baptist on Monday evening, 72-68, closing out the trip to Texas and the Thanksgiving Classic.
 
East Texas Baptist stormed out to an early 9-0 lead on their home court, forcing a timeout by head coach Casey Bunn-Wilson, just over four minutes into the game. Miki Vermeulen, Tana Hoekema, and Allie Mead helped Linfield claw closer at the end of the period, trailing just 15-10. Near the end of the first quarter, the match had to be moved to an auxiliary gymnasium, due to an issue with the court.
 
Amelia Solt opened the second quarter with a 4-0 run by herself, draining a three and a free throw, leading to a scoring drought that lasted more than three minutes. Lauren Buchanan and Hoekema gave the Wildcats their first lead of the game midway through the quarter, 19-17. Hoekema and Vermeulen kept Linfield close as ETBU began to pull ahead, leading 32-26 at the half.
 
Mead and the 'Cats went back-and-forth for the majority of the third, with Linfield trailing by just one possession consistently. Vermeulen's bucket led to a Buchanan three, putting Linfield ahead 46-44 with 2:10 remaining in the quarter. Four lead changes followed in the final minute, Buchanan sank her third three of the game, but the Tigers matched and led 52-50 with 10-minutes to play.
 
The fourth saw four lead changes, Linfield led 61-60 with under three minutes to play, but a 7-0 run over 90-seconds gave ETBU a six-point lead with 1:20 remaining. Solt and Mead made threes in the final 23-seconds, but it wasn't enough while the Tigers made their free throws, giving Linfield their first loss of the season, 72-68.
 
Hoekema led Linfield offensively, shooting over 50% from the field, scoring 18-points with two rebounds and a block. Mead trailed close behind with 15-points, leading the team with six rebounds and seven assists. The Tigers out shot the 'Cats from the field, 51% to 38%, also taking 16 more attempts from the line. 
 
The Wildcats are set for their first Northwest Conference matchup next Sunday in Forest Grove, taking on the Pacific Boxers at 3 p.m.
 
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