SALEM, Ore. --- Linfield women's basketball (6-2, 1-0 NWC) kept last night's offensive momentum rolling into Saturday's road trip, downing the Corban Warriors, 67-57. It marks the third-consecutive game that Linfield has held opponents under 60 points.Â
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Corban made a three on the opening possession of the game, quickly answered by Linfield's
Eve Burke, sinking a three of her own, earning
Allie Mead the assist. The rest of the starting five,
Miki Vermeulen,
Amelia Solt, and
Tana Hoekema wasted no time getting into the stat sheet themselves, giving the 'Cats a 12-6 lead six-minutes into the game.Â
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Burke drained another three late in the first, while
Skylar Willey made a pair of lay-ins to take a commanding 20-11 lead at the end of the quarter.
Lauren Buchanan sank a three of her own after Linfield forced a Warrior turnover early in the second quarter. Solt joined in with a three as well, while Mead executed a three-point play at the midway point of the second, capping off an 11-4 run to lead by 17.
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Buchanan and Vermeulen added two more from beyond the arc late in the first half, helping the 'Cats tie their season-high of first-half points with 41, leading 41-20.Â
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A pair of free throws sank by Hoekema kicked off the second half, although Corban began to creep back into the game, thanks to a 13-0 run that cut the deficit to just 10. The five-and-a-half minute drought was ended by Vermeulen, sinking a jumper with under five to go in the third. Hoekema made a jumper in the final seconds thanks to a pass from Mead, putting Linfield up 53-40 with 10 minutes to play.
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Although Vermeulen and Solt began the fourth with a quick 5-0 run, another Linfield drought ensued. This time only lasting just over three minutes. The defense locked down for the most part, where Corban only got as close as six points with less than 90 seconds to play. Solt was clutch from the free throw line late, ensuring the 'Cats walked away with a 67-57 win over Corban.
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The Warriors entered the week ranked No. 22 in the NAIA women's basketball national rankings.Â
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Solt was the game's leading scorer, dropping 20 points, included a perfect 10-10 from the free throw line. Meanwhile Vermeulen dropped a double-double, with 12 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. The 'Cats shot 36% from the field and 43% (7-16) from beyond the arc, both higher than the Warriors.
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The Wildcats head to Hawaii next weekend, competing in the Hoops in Hawaii Classic in Honolulu. The 'Cats aim to bring the momentum to match-ups against McMurry and Knox.Â
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