SPOKANE, Wash.— The Whitworth Pirates used a strong third quarter to beat the visiting Linfield Wildcats 70-62 in a Northwest Conference women's basketball game on Friday night at the Whitworth Fieldhouse. 

Whitworth improved to 10-14 overall, 7-8 NWC and stayed alive in the hunt for a Northwest Conference playoff spot. Linfield fell to 10-14, 6-9 and was eliminated from contention for a tournament spot. 

Whitworth started the first quarter on a 9-2 run, capped by Olivia Mayer's three, to force a Linfield timeout with 5:20 remaining. Gillyan Landis' trey brought the Wildcats to within five points, but the Pirates ended the quarter with a 17-10 lead after a basket by Mayer.

Linfield rallied in the second quarter with a 7-0 run to tie the game after Peyton Bergevin's three-pointer with 7:20 remaining. Devin Cope's layup ended Whitworth's scoring drought and gave the Pirates a 19-17 edge with 6:19 remaining. The Wildcats outscored the Pirates 18-9 in the second quarter and led 28-26 at halftime after Ella Koebelin's driving layup in the final seconds.

Whitworth and Linfield continued to battle in the opening minutes of the third period. Koebelin's jumper gave the Wildcats a 32-28 lead, but the Pirates were able to respond. Quincy McDeid knocked down a three-pointer with 8:21 remaining to give Whitworth their first lead of the second half. The Pirates took control of the period and stretched their lead to 48-38 at the end of three quarters. 

Mayer's layup to start the final frame extended Whitworth's lead to twelve, but the Wildcats wouldn't go down without a fight. Linfield outscored Whitworth 24-22 in the period, but the Cats' were unable to cut into the Pirate lead. Whitworth beat Linfield 70-62.

Quincy McDeid led Whitworth with 20 points and three rebounds. Kimberly Dewey added 16 points and nine rebounds. Olivia Mayer finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds. The Pirates shot 43.4% (23-53) from the floor, 23.5% (4-17) from behind the arc, and 69.0% (20-29) from the charity stripe. Whitworth outrebounded Linfield 42-29. 

Gillyan Landis led Linfield with 16 points and five rebounds. Jordan Worthington added 12 points and Ella Koebelin finished with nine. The Wildcats shot 34.5% (19-55) from the floor, 21.4% (3-14) from three-point range and 75.0% (21-28) from the free-throw line. 

Whitworth will play Willamette on Saturday at 4:00 PM.