Linfield University Athletics

MCMINNVILLE, Ore. --- Linfield women's basketball (5-2, 1-0 NWC) dominated from start to finish and on both ends of the court, earning a 68-39 win over Simpson on Friday inside Ted Wilson Gymnasium. 
 
The Red Hawks stole an early 4-0 lead in the opening quarter, quickly squandered by a 5-0 Linfield run, all coming from Eve Burke. Simpson regained the lead for a moment, but Tana Hoekema and Allie Mead put Linfield up 12-6. Amelia Solt joined the mix, keeping the storng shooting alive with a three to capitalize on a 7-0 run. 
 
Linfield entered the bonus with just over two minutes to play, aiding the Wildcats best offensive first quarter of the season. Lauren Buchanan and Jordan Roberts drained a pair of threes in the final minute, giving Linfield a 26-11 lead at the end of the opening quarter; their most points scored in the first quarter this season and the second-most of any quarter. The Wildcat's defense has also held each opponent to 15 or less points in the first quarter of each game this season.
 
Although Simpson sank a step-back jumper to begin the second quarter, Miki Vermeulen's three and Hoekema's steal that led to a bucket propelled a 9-0 run. Leading by as many as 22 in the quarter, Jayden Ray and the Wildcat offense kept their foot on the gas to lead 40-18 at the half. 18 first-half points is the fewest allowed by the 'Cats since February 22 of last season. 
 
Vermeulen and Mead's buckets matched the Red Hawks run to start the second half, kickstarting a 13-0 Linfield run fueled by Burke and Solt as well. The Wildcats lead reached 31 with 6:11 left in the third. A full line change for Casey Bunn-Wilson's team didn't slow the offense, as Natalie Rosetti and Skylar Willey aided an overall 19-1 run for Linfield in the quarter. Simpson sank a bucket at the buzzer, making it 65-28 Linfield with ten minutes to play.
 
The Hawks scored first in the fourth following a scoring drought that lasted over two minutes, a drought that continued on for Linfield, stretching four minutes. Freshman Dylan Cheney notched her first basket in her first minutes of her collegiate career, one of four freshmen Wildcats to see the court for the first time in their career; Mia Thompson, Sydney Newby, and Madison Huntley joined Cheney as those to notch firsts. 
 
Although Cheney's basket was Linfield's only of the final quarter, the Wildcats lead earned through the first 30-minutes held throughout. 15-different Wildcats saw minutes in the 68-39 win. Hoekema led the way with 13 points, while Willey had eight board and Mead dished five assists. The 'Cats outshot the Hawks overall, but the difference came on the glass, grabbing 51 boards to the Hawks 26; 16 of which were on the offensive end.
 
Linfield aims to keep rolling tomorrow evening on the road, heading to Salem, Oregon, to take on No. 22-ranked Corban (NAIA) at 3 p.m.
 
To follow Linfield Wildcats coverage all season long, visit golinfieldwildcats.com. Please consider following Linfield Athletics on Facebook, and @LinfieldSports on Instagram and X.com. 
 
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