PORTLAND, Ore. --- Linfield women's basketball (15-2, 8-0 NWC) dominated from start to finish, bouncing the Lewis & Clark River Otters on the road, 76-42, where 17-different 'Cats scored. It marks Linfield's 11
th-consecutive win, surpassing last season's program record of 10 in a row, while moving to a program-record 8-0 in the Northwest Conference.
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Senior
Amelia Solt got the scoring started early, sinking a three on the opening possession, only to be matched by the River Otters shortly thereafter. Lewis & Clark led 5-3 after the first minute, but that would be their only lead for the remainder of the game. All-five starters contributed throughout the first six minutes of the game, holding the Otters to just one basket over the final 6:55; a 9-2 run gave the 'Cats a comfortable 18-9 lead after ten minutes.
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The lead grew larger for Linfield early and often in the second, behind
Miki Vermeulen's takeover on offense, joined by
Allie Mead who executed an and-one to go up by 17 halfway through the quarter. A huge 14-0 run capped off by a
Sydney Newby layup helped Linfield carry a 37-16 lead into the locker room.Â
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Solt opened the third with four points on her own, before Vermeulen sank two threes and a lay-in to scare a 30-point lead on the Otters. It was all-Linfield, all of the time, as
Jayden Ray found scoring opportunities and turned them into points, while
Natalie Rosetti made it 63-32 'Cats with ten to play.
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Lauren Quinn, Jadyn Harell,
Jordan Roberts,
Logan Roberts, and
Evelyn Melis handled the scoring for Linfield in the final quarter, maintaining the huge lead, helping the 'Cats cruise to their eleventh-consecutive victory, 76-42. It now marks the longest winning streak and continues the best start to a season in program history for
Casey Bunn-Wilson's team. Now 8-0 in NWC play, the Wildcats earn a two-game advantage over the second-place Puget Sound Loggers in the season standings.Â
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Vermeulen was the lone double-digit point scorer for Linfield, leading all scorers with 15 points, while grabbing six rebounds and dishing two assists. 17-different 'Cats recorded points in the stat sheet, including
Eve Burke who had a team-high nine rebounds to go with her eight points. Linfield's charge came from 19 points off of turnovers, and 35 off of the bench.
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The Wildcats turn back home to host the Pacific Boxers on Tuesday night inside Ted Wilson Gymnasium at 5:30 p.m., a team they beat in the first matchup back in November, 91-64.
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