McMINNVILLE, Ore. - K.C. Wiser scored a career-high 37 points and Linfield shot 58.2 percent from the floor on its way to a convincing 97-77 win over Evergreen State Tuesday evening at Ted Wilson Gymnasium.

With hot shooting and solid defense, Linfield (2-1) built a 14-point halftime lead that would never be challenged in the second half. From the opening tip the Geoducks had no answer for Wiser, as the senior scored 19 of his points before intermission.

The ‘Cats had three players score in double figures during the first half as the club shot a blistering 62.1 percent from the floor. Linfield used six early points from Sergio Rosario to build a 13-4 advantage less than six minutes into the game.

After seeing the lead dip to as little as four Linfield answered back with seven-straight points, taking a 24-13 lead midway through the half on a pair of free throws from Wiser. The Geoducks did not go quietly, trimming the lead to 38-34 with 3:19 remaining in the half.

With the Geoducks hanging tough, five-straight points from Wiser gave the Wildcats some separation. The final minutes of the first half proved pivotal for the ‘Cats, as Linfield outscored Evergreen State (1-5) 14-4 over the final 3:19 of the half.

Coming out of the break the Wildcats built their lead to as many as 21. The Geoducks made one final push, trimming the deficit to 72-61 on a Darryl Taylor 3-pointer with 8:45 left to play.

Following a Linfield score, Zach Anderson put the game on ice with a jumper from just inside the arc.

Wiser’s career night was aided by great games from Rosario and Anderson. Anderson tallied 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting. He also added nine rebounds.

Rosario cashed in 18 points and nine rebounds in the win.

Linfield pummeled Evergreen State on the boards, outrebounding the Geoducks 44-23. Evergreen State shot just 44.8 percent from the floor, while going 8-of-27 from 3-point range.

Mikey Hope led the Geoducks with 23 points off the bench.

NEXT: Linfield opens up Northwest Conference play Friday when the ‘Cats play host to Whitman at 8 p.m.