McMINNVILLE, Ore. --- Linfield women's basketball (19-3, 12-1 NWC) matched a program record for wins (19), thanks to a dominant second half, taking down Pacific Lutheran (2-20, 1-12 NWC), 70-51.
 
Pacific Lutheran made two free throws for the game's first points following the opening tip, prior to Eve Burke grabbing her own miss and making a lay-in on the following possession. Amelia Solt gave Linfield their first lead of the game, 5-4, shortly after.
 
The Wildcats began to inch away from the Lutes, executing in the paint with contributions coming from Jayden Ray, Allie Mead and Tana Hoekema. Jordan Roberts and Solt each made a three late in the opening quarter, extending the lead to as many as nine, leading 24-17 after one.
 
The offenses slowed the pace in the second quarter, although Burke sank a three while Ella Koebelin and Sydney Newby extended the lead up to 12, but a 4-0 in the final 21-seconds for PLU made it 39-31 at the half.
 
Skylar Willey made all three of Linfield's baskets in the first three minutes, while the defense locked down the Lutes, holding them to just 20 in the second half. A 12-2 run over four minutes gave Linfield a comfortable 17-points lead near the end of the quarter. The huge third quarter put the game out of reach for the Lutes. 
 
PLU was scoreless for the first 6:54 of the final quarter, as Lauren Buchanan and Koebelin's threes helped push the lead to 28. The 'Cats cruised in the final quarter, taking down the Lutes, 70-51. 
 
Burke led all scorers with 14 points, shooting 6-11 from the field. The senior also added four rebounds, three of which on the offensive glass. 12 total Wildcats recorded 2+ points in the game, while 17 saw minutes on the floor. The defense smothered the Lutes, forcing 23 turnovers, leading to 20 points off turnovers and 36 inside the paint.
 
Women's basketball is back inside Ted Wilson Gymnasium tomorrow afternoon, hosting the Puget Sound Loggers who are currently one-game back of the 'Cats in the Northwest Conference standings.
 
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