McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Visiting Whitworth missed 18 of its 19 three-point attempts in a 73-62 loss at Linfield in a Northwest Conference women's basketball game on Friday night at Ted Wilson Gym.

The cold long-range shooting was the difference as the Pirates dropped to 10-8 overall and 5-4 in the NWC.  The Wildcats (10-8 overall, 3-6 NWC) ended a ten-game losing streak to Whitworth and earned only their eighth victory ever against the Bucs in 62 all-time meetings.

Whitworth led 16-14 late in the first quarter before Linfield closed with five straight points, including a three-pointer by Graham Paige, to take a 19-16 lead at the end of the period.

The Pirates went back ahead 23-21 early in the second quarter on Faith Emerson's three-point play.  The Wildcats responded by taking their largest lead of the half at 29-25 before Whitworth closed to 33-32 at halftime after a basket by Jessica Thoens.

Linfield led 46-41 late in the third period when the Pirates went on what appeared to be a game-turning run.  Whitworth used a 10-0 run that spanned the end of the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth to take a 51-46 lead.  KC McConnell scored eight of the points.

But Linfield answered with its own 14-2 run to go up 60-53 with five minutes to play in the game.  Whitworth got back within 60-57 after four straight points by McConnell, but that's as close as the Pirates would get.  Linfield went 6-6 from the free throw line in the final 40 seconds to pull away.

McConnell scored a game-high 22 points for Whitworth.  She was the only Pirate to reach double figures.  Alexis McLeod added nine points while Briann Maley came off of the bench for eight points.  McConnell and Callie Harwood each grabbed six boards.

The Bucs made 21-60 (35%) of their shots from the field, but were only 1-19 (5.3%) from beyond the arc.

Graham and Dani Krier each scored 16 points to lead Linfield.  Genna Hughes added 12 points and nine rebounds for the Wildcats.

Linfield's last win over Whitworth came on December 4, 2010, a 53-36 victory in Oregon.

The Pirates will conclude their trip to Oregon with a game at Lewis & Clark on Saturday.