MCMINNVILLE, Ore. – Kimberly Dewey scored 21 points including a put back and-one in the final seconds to lead Whitworth over Linfield 61-57 on Saturday in McMinnville.

Whitworth (5-10 overall, 2-4 NWC) has won three straight games over Linfield and six of the last seven. The Pirates shot just 36.7% in this one but held the Wildcats (8-7 overall, 3-3 NWC) to just 35% from the field.

With 15 seconds left and the Pirates clinging to a 58-57 lead, Zalissa Sanfo was called for an illegal screen which fouled her out and gave the 'Cats a chance to steal a win.

But the Pirate defense held strong.

Cheyenne Rodgers tipped away the inbound pass and ran full speed the other way, her layup glanced off the rim but Dewey was there to clean it up despite being fouled in the process. Dewey sank the free throw, and Whitworth led 61-57 with nine seconds to go.

Dewey was 4-4 from the stripe, and scored 17 points to lead the Pirates down the stretch.

Whitworth came out hot taking a 9-3 lead in the opening minutes as Dewey and Zalissa Sanfo combined for seven in that stretch. The scoring slowed down however as Whitworth went 6:08 without a field goal in the second quarter during an 11-0 Linfield run that put them in front 22-19.

Sydney McLean broke the cold spell with a three to tie the game with 2:32 left in the half, and Emma Maxwell knocked down another three minutes later to give Whitworth the 27-26 halftime lead.

The Pirates got hot out of the break as Mya Edwards and Alyssa Fitzgerald buried consecutive threes before Dewey knocked down a jumper to cap a 10-0 run for Whitworth, forcing a Linfield timeout.

Linfield threatened a few times throughout the second half, trimming Whitworth's lead to 40-39 at the end of the third, and 58-57 with under a minute to play. But both times Dewey responded with a three point play to separate the Pirates.

Eve Burke and Ella Koebelin led the 'Cats with 17 and 16 points, but it was not enough as they fell to 3-3 in Northwest conference play.

Zalissa Sanfo added 11 for Whitworth, but was held to a season-low 2 rebounds and fouled out for the second straight game.

Whitworth will be back at home next week hosting Puget Sound on January 19.