Linfield Receives 35 Points from Owens, Downs Willamette, 93-69

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110 and Sara Brooks, Assistant Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6219

McMINNVILLE, ORE. -- Gretchen Owens scored 35 points and hit 15 of 16 free throws to lead Linfield College to a 93-69 win over Willamette University at Ted Wilson Gymnasium on Saturday, Feb. 5. Owens was 8 of 16 from the
field, including 4 for 6 on 3-point shots. She also recorded eight rebounds, four assists and four steals.

Linfield improved its record to 5-16 overall, 3-9 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette fell to 3-18 on the season, 1-11 in the NWC.

Erin Barclay (Jr., PG, Snohomish, WA/Bothell HS) was Willamette's top scorer with a career-high 22 points. She made 6 of 11 field goals and went 8 for 10 at the charity stripe. Her previous top offensive output was 14 points against the University of Puget Sound on Feb. 21, 2009.

Alex Zennan (Jr., G, Sammamish, WA/Eastlake HS) provided WU with 17 points and three assists, while Keilyn Fujioka (Jr., Post, Kailua, HI/Iolani School) achieved 14 points, five rebounds and three blocked shots.

Kaileigh Westermann (So., F, Belfair, WA/South Kitsap HS) led Willamette's efforts on the glass with nine rebounds.

Joining Owens in double figures for Linfield were Lindsey Gummersall with 18 points, Nadra Evans with 15, and Kelsey O'Neill with 12. The Wildcats shot 41.9% on field goals (41.9%) and converted 30 of 37 free throws (81.1%).

Willamette trailed 22-7, but cut the lead to 27-20 on two free throws by Barclay with 5:48 left in the opening half. The Wildcats answered with a 7-0 run to extend the margin to 14 points at 34-20. Linfield went into the break with a 41-24 advantage.

In the first half, Owens topped all players with 14 points and led Linfield with six rebounds. Barclay was WU's leading scorer at the half with nine points.

The Wildcats opened the second half with a 26-16 surge to claim a 67-40 lead. Willamette got back into the game with a 16-0 run, ultimately cutting the margin to 67-56 on a 3-pointer by Alex Zennan at the 7:46 mark. The Bearcats were unable to get closer.

WU finished the game with 40.0% shooting from the field (24 of 60). The Bearcats made just 7 of 28 shots in the first half (25.0%), but hit 17 of 32 attempts (53.1%) in the second half.

The Bearcats will return to action on Tuesday, Feb. 9 with a Northwest Conference game at Lewis & Clark College. Tip-off in Portland, Ore., is scheduled for 8 p.m. (PST) following the men's basketball game between the
Bearcats and the Pioneers.