McMINNVILLE, Ore. --- Linfield women's basketball (20-3, 13-1 NWC) overcame a deficit in the fourth quarter, taking down the Puget Sound Loggers (18-5, 11-3 NWC) to earn the season sweep. The Wildcats 20^th win sets a new program record for wins in a season, surpassing last year's record of 19.
 
Puget Sound struck first, sinking a three to kick off the game. Miki Vermeulen responded with a jump shot, earning Amelia Solt the assist. Senior Eve Burke tied it moments later at 5-5, sinking a three. The Loggers made a pair of shots from beyond the arc, leading by as many as eight before Burke and Jayden Ray made it 18-14 Loggers after one.
 
The Logger offense remained steady as Allie Mead and Solt combined for two threes of their own, keeping the 'Cats within striking distance. Burke had a 7-0 run on her own to end the first half, although Puget Sound held a 37-33 advantage.
 
Mead and the Wildcats tied the game early in the third quarter, the first time tied since the first. Two of the Northwest Conference's top teams traded shots, with Puget Sound maintaining a short advantage for the majority of the quarter. Stellar shooting by both Burke from beyond the arc and Mead in the paint led the Wildcats charge back. The Loggers led by just two entering the final quarter.
 
UPS led by four nearly halfway through the fourth, but an 11-0 Linfield run put the Loggers in the rear view with 2:50 left in the game. The 'Cats lead dropped to just two with 96-seconds left, but the Loggers found themselves in foul trouble and the veteran Linfield squad sank five free throws in the final 18-seconds to secure a 71-66 win.
 
The win keeps the 'Cats in sole possession of first place in the Northwest Conference standings, controlling their own destiny with two games left to play. It also sets a new program record of 20 wins, passing last year's record-breaking 19 win season. 
 
Linfield made 20 of 27 free throw attempts, six of which by Burke who led all scorers with 21 points. Mead also had a career-high 20 points, shooting 7-16 from the field. Off the bench, Hoekema had 11 points and a game-high nine boards. The 'Cats turned the ball over just 11 times, while forcing the Loggers to cough it up 22 times.
 
The 'Cats host senior night next Friday night inside Ted Wilson Gymnasium, taking on the Lewis & Clark River Otters at 5:30 p.m., with a chance to clinch the Northwest Conference title.
 
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