Box ScoreMcMINNVILLE, Ore. - Kailee Oliver’s 3-pointer with 1:53 remaining proved to be all the scoring Northwest University needed in the final minutes Friday night in Ted Wilson Gym, as the visiting Eagles defeated Linfield 55-52.
Northwest took a step in the right direction, improving to 2-1 on the year. Linfield dropped to 0-1 in its season opener.
In a game where both offenses shot under 30 percent from the floor and the two clubs combined for 40 turnovers, the Eagles turned away every Linfield comeback attempt in the second half.
Leading by one point to begin the second half, Linfield went ice cold from the field. It wasn’t until the 12:48 mark that the Wildcats scored their second field goal of the period. By then Northwest had staked claim to a 40-32 advantage.
Over the next six minutes, the Wildcats held the Eagles to just three points. Two free throws from
Kelsey Forrest (Sr., Mossyrock, Wash.) at the 6:12 mark cut the Northwest lead to 43-41.
Northwest extended its lead to 48-43 with 4:46 on the clock, but Linfield was quick to respond with a 5-0 run. With just under four minutes to play
Gretchen Owens (Soph., Glendale, Ore.) assisted
Kelsey Forrest (Sr., Mossyrock, Wash.) on the tying basket.
After an exchange of scores, Owens continued to create easy scoring opportunities for the Wildcats. With 2:24 remaining, Owens slipped a crisp pass to
Brynna Fuller (Soph., Shelton, Wash.) for a layup to tie the game at 52. Unfortunately for the ‘Cats, Oliver answered back with the last basket of the night, a 3-pointer from the left wing.
Linfield would have one last gasp, retaining possession with 11 seconds on the clock. After a missed shot by
Nadra Evans (Sr., Astoria, Ore.), Owens picked up the rebound and dribbled it back outside the arc for a 3-point attempt. The lefty’s shot looked true before rimming out as the horn sounded.
In the first half of play, Linfield established an early lead before Northwest worked its way back into the game before halftime.
Wilson sparked the ‘Cats in the early moments, knocking down two 3-pointers in the first five minutes. Less than three minutes later, Gina Engleson swished home a 3-pointer from the right wing to put Linfield up 15-9 with just over 13 minutes to play in the first half.
The Eagles answered back with a 7-0 run to take a 17-16 lead with 10:24 remaining. McKenize McKean knocked down a jumper to cap of the run. The senior guard paced Northwest with 10 first half points.
The two clubs played a very even final 10 minutes, with Linfield going into the locker room with a 28-27 edge. Northwest shot 29.6 percent from the floor while Linfield tallied a 26.9 shooting percentage.
McKean finished the night with a game-high 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting. Jessicaa Wilkerson chipped in with 12 points and seven rebounds.
The Wildcats got a solid all-around performance from Owens. Owens tallied seven points to go along with a game-high 14 rebounds, four steals, three assists and two blocks. Forrest and Evans each added 11 points apiece.
NEXT: Linfield has little time to catch its breath. The Wildcats are back in action Sunday when they visit Cal Lutheran at 7 p.m.
Print This Page
