McMINNVILLE, Ore. --- Linfield women's basketball (22-4, 15-1 NWC) had their NWC Tournament run cut short on Friday inside Ted Wilson Gymnasium, George Fox (15-11, 10-6 NWC) upset the Wildcats, 59-57.
 
The Bruins took the opening tip to the hoop, grabbing a short-lived lead before senior Miki Vermeulen tied the game on Linfield's first possession. The run stretched to 9-0, thanks to an Allie Mead three and Eve Burke lay-in, putting the 'Cats up 9-2.
 
George Fox rattled off a 10-2 run over the final 2:16 to make it 16-15 after one quarter. 
 
Mead took over to start the second, sinking back-to-back buckets. Skylar Willey was a force in the paint, executing an and-one opportunity to maintain the lead. In a matter of 62 seconds, the Bruins went on a 6-0 run to take their first lead since the first possession of the game, 26-25.
 
Both squads traded buckets in the final minute, until Mead drained a three and Willey secured another layup, giving the 'Cats a 32-30 advantage at half.
 
Yet again, Linfield took a five-point lead to begin the quarter, this time, led by Burke. A 10-2 run stretched the 'Cats lead to its highest of the game (9) with 1:49 remaining in the third. Fox cut it to just five to go into the fourth.
 
All of the offense in the fourth came from Mead, who's three baskets in the first 5:41held a 54-51 lead. But a 6-0 run quickly put the Bruins ahead 57-54 with 1:46 left to play. Both defenses held their own down the stretch, unable to pull away. Trailing by three with the shot clock turned off, the 'Cats find none other than Mead with space beyond the arc, draining a three with eight seconds left to tie it 57-57.
 
The Bruins responded with a crucial lay-in with two ticks left, forcing Linfield to take a timeout and advance the ball past half-court. A missed bucket but offense rebound that turned into a held ball gave the 'Cats one last gasp with three-tenths of a second. Miki Vermeulen appeared to have taken the inbound and got a quick shot off, making it to tie the game. But following much deliberation from the officiating crew, they determined the shot was not off in-time, and the game was over; 59-57 Bruins.
 
The conference player of the year, Mead, led the team with 20 points, while Willey notched a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. The 'Cats were out-shot from the field, 34% to Fox's 47%, but won the turnover battle, 20-15.
 
The Wildcats tournament run came to an end on Friday, now hoping for a shot at an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament. A record-setting season for Linfield, setting program records in wins, NWC wins, longest winning streak and first time hosting the conference tournament, just to name a few. 
 
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