HONOLULU, Hawaii --- Linfield women's basketball (8-2, 1-0 NWC) capped off non-conference play with an 82-59 win over Knox on Monday evening to finish the Hoops in Hawaii Classic. It marks the Wildcats second-best start through 10 games in program history; behind only last season's 10-0 start. 
 
The high-scoring affair got started early, as the Wildcats took an early 2-0 lead on an Amelia Solt fastbreak lay-in. Trading baskets on consecutive possessions up to a 10-10 tie, Knox took a four-point lead at the midway point in the first quarter.
 
Miki Vermeulen and Solt made a pair of buckets down the stretch, but the Prairie Fire held a 22-18 advantage after the first 10 minutes of play. 
 
Jayden Ray teamed up with Solt to immediately tie the game back up at 22-22 early in the second, but Knox responded with an 8-0 run that gave them their largest lead of the game. Linfield's offense got back into rhythm behind Eve Burke and Skylar Willey, who helped tie it up in the final minute, with Knox sinking a pair of free throws to narrowly lead 35-33 at the half.
 
The third quarter was all Wildcats, stuffing the Fire for the first 4:57 of the second half. Meanwhile, the Wildcat starting five took off on an 13-0 run with just one shot from beyond the arc, mostly having their way in the paint; the 'Cats offensive outburst gave them an 11-point advantage, one they would not surrender for the remainder of the game.
 
Knox made just seven points in the third quarter, as the Linfield defense locked down while Vermeulen and Hoekema made six-consecutive free throws. The Wildcat lead grew to 54-42 with ten minutes to play.
 
Although Knox made a three to score first in the fourth, Solt drained a three to answer back immediately. Solt's three propelled yet another 9-0 Linfield run, and the defense allowed just one basket in the first five minutes of the fourth. Timely free throws down the stretch, paired with buckets from Lauren Buchanan and Sydney Newby sealed the deal for Linfield, capturing their fourth-straight win and sweeping their two games at the Hoops in Hawaii Classic. 
 
Linfield flexed their strengths on both ends of the court in the tournament, following a low-scoring defensive win against McMurry, to their second-highest scoring game of the season in Monday's win over Knox.
 
All five starters notched double-digit scoring performances, with Solt and Hoekema leading with 15 points; Mead and Burke trailed with 13 and Vermeulen had 10. Hoekema, Mead, and Burke each had seven boards, while Mead dished team-highs in assists (four) and steals (six). Shooting 42% on 66 attempts from the field, the 'Cats also got it done at the charity stripe, making 22 of 32 attempts.
 
Women's basketball's non-conference play comes to a close with an 8-2 record (1-0 in NWC), their second-best start through 10 games in program history. The 'Cats head into Northwest Conference play in 2026, tipping off inside Ted Wilson Gymnasium on January 9 against the reigning NWC champion Whitman Blues.
 
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. 
 
  Read Full Article