McMINNVILLE, Ore. --- Linfield women's basketball (21-3, 14-1 NWC) clinched the outright Northwest Conference regular-season title with an 87-59 win over the Lewis & Clark River Otters (6-18, 3-12 NWC) on senior night. Sending off the eight seniors with a record-breaking season, culminating in the first conference title in 46 years.
 
The night began before the first tip, as Linfield honored eight members of the 2026 senior class: Eve Burke, Ella Koebelin, Laurel Quinn, Jayden Ray, Jordan Roberts, Logan Roberts, Amelia Solt and Miki Vermeulen. 
 
Skylar Willey gave Linfield an early 2-0 lead, taking the opening tip to the hoop. Willey combined with Vermeulen to extend the lead to 6-0 in the first two minutes of the game. Lewis & Clark sank back-to-back threes to close out a 10-1 run, taking a one-point lead, their first of the game.
 
The Otters hung close with the Wildcats, as the two teams exchanged the lead multiple times down the stretch. Lewis & Clark got the last word, making a driving layup in the final seconds to lead 18-17 at the end of the first quarter.
 
The Otts lead grew to as many as four thanks to a three to begin the second quarter. Solt made a three of her own on the next possession, her first of three to begin the quarter, later helping Linfield regain a 28-26 lead with 6:55 left in the half.
 
The lead traded places twice more until an 8-0 run over the final 4:53 put the 'Cats up 38-31 at the break.
 
After gaining momentum to end the second quarter, Linfield would refuse to look back. The Wildcats starting lineup combined for a 15-3 run over the first 4:46 of the third quarter, largely in part to Allie Mead consistently driving into the lane and executing at the rim; in the blink of an eye, Linfield neared a 20-point lead.
 
Lauren Buchanan made her first three of the game, followed by a Tana Hoekema lay-in, putting Linfield up 63-45 with ten minutes to play. The second and third quarter dominance was a perfect marriage of suffocating defense and an offense that spread the wealth.
 
Natalie Rosetti made a lay-in to begin the fourth before Buchanan's second triple stretched the lead to 68-48. Seniors Ella Koebelin and Logan Roberts each made a three in the final quarter, capping off a very memorable senior night for the 'Cats. 
 
With a 87-59 win, Linfield women's basketball secured their first regular season Northwest Conference title since 1980, securing a 46-year drought to only solidify an already historic season. Each win only adds to program records for wins and conference wins for the Wildcats, marking the best season ever for a Linfield women's basketball team.

"I'm so incredibly proud of this group and the hear they've been playing with all season." Said head coach Casey Bunn-Wilson after also capturing her first NWC title in her 11th season at the helm of the program. 

"They play so hard for each other and it's really special to see. To have us win this game on senior night is even more special knowing what this senior class has battled through and how far they have come since their freshman season."
 
Each Mead, Vermeulen and Willey led the charge with 12 points, while Willey's earned her a double-double thanks to 11 rebounds. Linfield scored their most points in a game since the conference-opener against Pacific back in November (91), largely in part to 53% shooting from the field, 50 points in the paint, 32 points off turnovers and 33 points off of the bench. The eight seniors combined for 59 of the 87 points as well.
 
Women's basketball closes out the regular season tomorrow afternoon, aiming to earn the outright regular season title, taking on the George Fox Bruins at 3 p.m.
 
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. 
 
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