NEWBERG, Ore. --- Linfield women's basketball (22-3, 15-1 NWC) closed out the regular season by earning their first season sweep of the George Fox Bruins (14-11, 10-6 NWC) by overcoming a halftime deficit to win 76-61.
 
George Fox scored the first points of the game just over a minute after the opening tip, sinking two free throws. The game saw 11 total lead changes, many of which happening in the first quarter. Allie Mead sank the Wildcats first layup of the afternoon, while Skylar Willey went to work in the paint to keep Linfield close.
 
Each of the 'Cats first 12 points came inside the paint, until senior Ella Koebelin paired up with Amelia Solt to close out the quarter with a 17-14 lead, part of a 7-2 run over the final 1:50.
 
Solt made her second three in as many attempts early in the second quarter to put Linfield up four. George Fox wouldn't go away, tying the game up shortly after and twice in the quarter. The Bruins led by as many as four nearing the end of the period, but Mead drained a three with six seconds remaining to make it 35-34 Bruins at the half.
 
The third quarter was all Linfield early, thanks to the tandem of Solt and Eve Burke helping the 'Cats regain control of the game. Tana Hoekema sank two free throws to extend the lead to five, leading to a later 7-0 run to take a 60-50 lead entering the final quarter.
 
Linfield's defense stifled George Fox for nearly four minutes to begin the fourth, pushing the lead out to a comfortable 16 points with 6:35 remaining. From there, the 'Cats were able to cruise to a 76-61 win on the road, winning their fifth-consecutive game to end conference play.
 
Although the historic regular season comes to a close with program-records of 23 wins and 15 NWC victories, the 'Cats are set to host their first-ever Northwest Conference Tournament next Friday and Saturday inside Ted Wilson Gymnasium. Saturday's win also marked the first series sweep of George Fox since the 2007 season.
 
Solt led all scorers with 19 points on 3-3 from beyond the arc and 6-7 from the field. Seniors Burke and Mead also tallied double-digit points to help Linfield secure their fifth-straight win entering the postseason. One of the league's best rebounders, Miki Vermeulen set a game-high nine rebounds to help lead the charge.
 
A prominent factor to the Wildcat's success this season, 36 of 76 points came from in the paint and 18 points came off the bench to help secure the season sweep of George Fox.
 
Women's basketball now sets their sights on hosting their first Northwest Conference tournament next Friday, ready for a rematch of Saturday's regular season finale against the Bruins at 8 p.m. inside Ted Wilson Gymnasium.
 
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