Big First Half Lead Sends Linfield to 72-52 Victory over Willamette

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director 

McMINNVILLE, Ore. -- Linfield College outscored Willamette University in the first half 40-21, settiing up the Wildcats for a 72-52 win over the Bearcats at Ted Wilson Gymnasium on Friday, Feb. 5. Linfield upped its record to 11-9 overall, 4-7 in the NWC. Willamette fell to 12-8 on the season, 4-7 in the NWC.

The Wildcats shot 38.6 for the game, while WU shot 37.0%. Each team sank six 3-point shots. Linfield finished the night with a 55-24 rebounding advantage. The Wildcats grabbed 27 offensive rebounds and took 26 more shots than the Bearcats.

Quincey Gibson topped Linfield with 14 points, including four 3-point shots. Audrey McMillan tacked on 12 points and Hannah Depew contributed 10. Audrey McMillan and Jessica McMillan each hauled down nine rebounds.

Kylie Towry (Jr./So., G, Medford, OR/South Medford HS) scored 10 points for the Bearcats. She sank two of Willamette's 3-pointers. Ashley Evans (So., PG, Canby, OR/Canby HS) earned eight points. Alex Wert (Jr., F, Spokane, WA/St. George's HS) and Racyne Parker (Jr./So., F, Klamath Falls, OR/Henley HS) grabbed five rebounds apiece.

Willamette battled early in the game, but Linfield pulled away from a 10-10 tie in the final four minutes of the first quarter with an 11-0 run. The Wildcats held a 21-10 lead at the end of the period. The run started with a jumper by Dani Krier and a 3-pointer by Quincey Gibson, and ended with a jumper by Audrey McMillan with two seconds left. Willamette shot just 28.5% during the quarter.

The Bearcats opened the second quarter with a 6-0 run to cut the margin to 21-16, as Evans and Towry each hit a 3-point shot. Linfield countered with an 13-4 run to gain a 34-20 advantage on a rebound and basket by Audrey McMillan with 3:34 left in the half.

Madi Andresen (So., C, Forest Grove, OR/Forest Grove HS) sank 1 of 2 free throws for Willamette at the 1:32 mark, but Linfield ended the half with a 6-0 run. Hannah Depew scored with 1:10 to go and Krier added a free throw with 33.3 seconds left. Gibson completed the run with a 3-point basket from the top of the key as time expired.

Gibson scored all 14 of her points for the Wildcats in the first half, while Towry achieved all 10 of her points for Willamette in the opening 20 minutes. At halftime, The Wildcats owned a 27-10 overall rebounding margin, a 14-3 edge on the offensive glass, and a 14-0 lead in second chance points.

Linfield outscored the Bearcats in the third quarter 18-9, expanding its lead to 58-30.

The Bearcats will play at home on Saturday, Feb. 6, when they host University of Puget Sound at Cone Field House. Game time is set for 4 p.m. (PST).