SPOKANE, Wash. – First place Linfield was ready, not rusty, after having ten days off of competition in a 76-53 win over Whitworth in a Northwest Conference women's basketball contest on Friday night at the Whitworth Fieldhouse.
The Pirates (4-17, 3-9 NWC) dropped their second straight game while the Wildcats (17-2, 10-0 NWC) solidified their hold on first place in the league standings despite not playing a game since January 27th.
Linfield never trailed, jumping to an 18-5 lead through one quarter. They quickly outscored Whitworth 11-2 over the first three and a half minutes of the second quarter to open a 29-7 lead. The Pirates made a brief run to get within 29-14 after back to back three-pointers by Ashlyn Peterson. Whitworth was still within 15 (37-22) before the Wildcats took a 42-23 lead into halftime.
Peterson had ten points at halftime for the Bucs, who shot 7 of 25 (28%) from the floor and were outrebounded 24-16. Skylar Willey scored a dozen for Linfield, on 5 of 6 shooting, and had six boards. The Wildcats made 16 of 34 shots (47%) in the first half.
Linfield continued to put pressure on in the third, outscoring Whitworth 23-15 to go ahead 65-38 heading into the final period. The Pirates showed some spark to open the fourth quarter, turning a steal into a breakaway layup by Brenna Gilchrist that got Whitworth back within 68-44. The Wildcats did not allow the Bucs to continue the momentum, however.
Peterson was the only Pirate to reach double figures, finishing with 19 points. Brenna Gilchrist added eight points. Whitworth made 17 of 52 (33%) from the floor, including 6 of 19 (32%) from three-point range. The Pirates committed 18 turnovers against the longer Linfield defense.
Willey led Linfield with 15 points, while Miki Vermeulen and Tana Hoekema scored 11 apiece. Ten different players scored for the Wildcats. Linfield made 29 of 64 (45%) of its shots and outrebounded the Pirates 42-33. The 'Cats swept the two-game series between the schools for the second straight season.
Whitworth will host Lewis & Clark College next Friday looking to get back on the winning track.
