COLLEGE PLACE, Wash. – Max Juhala poured in a game-high 25 points and connected on five three-pointers as Linfield men's basketball (2-0) cruised to an 89-65 victory over Walla Walla University (0-3) on Friday afternoon.Â
Juhala led the offensive charge, shooting 9-of-14 from the field and 5-of-8 from three-point range while adding four rebounds and four assists. Nalu Vargas followed with 15 points, connecting on all five of his field goals from beyond the arc. Vargas also contributed six rebounds, six assists and three steals. Garrett Callsen added 13 points, four rebounds and five assists, while Gavin Perdue finished with 10 points and six rebounds.
Linfield began the game with consecutive three-pointers from Vargas to take an early 6-0 advantage. Kohsuke Fujiwara and Perdue followed with baskets to extend the Wildcats' lead to 10-4 before Kaden Erlenbush added a layup to maintain the early momentum.
The Wildcats built upon their lead midway through the opening half, getting buckets from Callsen, Juhala and freshman Dash Nicely to push the lead into double figures. A three-pointer from Peyton Reyes with 10:03 remaining gave Linfield a commanding 26-9 lead.
Juhala took over offensively during the middle stages of the first half, scoring seven consecutive Linfield points to extend the lead to 31-13. The sophomore guard later knocked down another three-pointer with 6:11 remaining, giving the 'Cats their largest lead of the opening half at 36-16.
Walla Walla managed to cut into the deficit late in the half, but Nicely provided a spark off the bench with a three-pointer and Juhala added a layup and two free throws in the closing minutes. Linfield entered halftime holding a comfortable 47-30 advantage after shooting 61.3% from the field.
The Wildcats got hot to start the second half, opening with back-to-back three-pointers from Perdue and Juhala to extend the lead to 53-30. Juhala connected on another shot from beyond the arc minutes later, pushing Linfield ahead 56-35 with 16:40 remaining.
Walla Walla responded with a 16-0 run, trimming the Wildcats' advantage to just five points at 56-51 midway through the second half. Callsen halted the scoring drought with a crucial three-pointer at the 10:55 mark, giving Linfield some breathing room.
Vargas followed with a three-pointer before Fujiwara converted a pair of free throws to extend the advantage to 64-57. Callsen added a layup, and Vargas connected on consecutive three-pointers to push the Wildcats' lead back to 15 points at 72-57 with just over eight minutes remaining.
Linfield continued to pull away down the stretch, using baskets from Callsen and Juhala before Fujiwara delivered a dunk with 3:40 remaining. Perdue and Juhala followed with consecutive three-pointers to extend the advantage to 86-65. Reyes capped the Wildcats' scoring with a three-pointer in the final minute, securing the 24-point win.
The Wildcats finished the afternoon shooting 56.9% from the field (33-of-58) and an impressive 53.3% from three-point range (16-of-30). Linfield held Walla Walla to 40% shooting overall and just 19% from beyond the arc.
The 'Cats look to keep rolling on Sunday afternoon, taking on the California Prestige Tigers at 2 p.m. in a neutral site matchup at Walla Walla University.
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.