McMINNVILLE, Ore.. --- Linfield women's basketball (14-2, 7-0 NWC) continued to build on the best start in program history on Friday, toppling the George Fox Bruins (9-8, 5-3 NWC), 74-69. 
 
Linfield jumped out to an early 6-0 lead as the Wildcats controlled the pace in the first quarter. Allie Mead opened the scoring for Linfield with an aggressive drive to the basket, and Miki Vermeulen quickly followed with a layup off an assist from Mead. Eve Burke got hot from beyond the arc, hitting a three with under four minutes left in the quarter that helped build a comfortable lead. But a 9-2 run by the Bruins ended the quarter with GFU on top, 17-16. 

The second quarter saw Skylar Willey provide energy in both scoring and rebounding. Willey's second quarter play, coupled with drives by Burke and consistent looks from the free throw line, helped Linfield extend its lead to as many as five points. George Fox responded with pressure offensively, but strong defensive stands limited second-chance opportunities for the Bruins, and Linfield went into halftime holding a 35-32 advantage. 

After the break, George Fox tried to claw back into the game, but the offense behind Burke stretched the lead to as many as eight. The physical battle inside led to multiple trips to the line for both teams, and the Wildcats carried a 50-48 lead into the final period. 

In the fourth quarter, Burke led the charge with efficient scoring, joining Amelia Solt with buckets from beyond the arc. The Wildcats responded to every George Fox rally, answering runs with key baskets of their own. The lead grew to 13 with 3:44 to play, although George Fox sank two buckets in the final six-seconds to make it a five-point deficit. Linfield's clutch offense down the stretch earned them their tenth-consecutive victory to stay atop the NWC, 74-69.

Burke led Linfield with 21 points, connecting on three triples and eight rebounds. Willey added 16 points and six rebounds, providing a strong presence inside and out. Allie Mead contributed nine points, a team-high seven assists, Linfield finished hitting 47 percent of its field goal attempts and knocking down six threes while shooting 14 of 20 from the free throw line.

The conference-leading Wildcats take their win streak into tomorrow's game in Portland, taking on the Lewis & Clark River Otters at 3 p.m.
 
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