Wildcats Keep Bearcats From Clawing Back, as Linfield Wins, 52-46

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

McMINNVILLE, ORE. -- Katie Kalugin (Sr., G, Woodburn, OR/Woodburn HS) registered a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Ashley Evans (Fr., PG, Canby, OR/Canby HS) scored a career-high 13 points, but it wasn't enough as Linfield College held off Willamette University, 52-46, in a Northwest Conference women's basketball game on Friday, Feb. 20.

The Wildcats improved to 11-13 overall, 5-10 in the NWC. Willamette ended the night at 6-18 overall and 1-14 in the NWC.

Dani Krier provided Linfield with a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds. Quincey Gibson and Paige Graham each finished with 11 points, while Annalise Beshears scored 10.

Kalugin and Evans were followed in scoring for Willamette by Kylie Towry (Fr., G, Medford, OR/South Medford HS), who scored nine points on three 3-pointers. Jojo DeLong (Sr., PG, Santa Clarita, CA./Canyon High School) earned six points and supplied six assists.

The first half was a battle of scoring runs. After Linfield opened the game with an 8-2 lead, the Bearcats countered with eight consecutive points, including three-pointers by DeLong and Towry to move in front, 10-8.

Linfield put in the next 12 points, starting with 3-point baskets by Gibson and Graham, to take a 20-10 lead. The Bearcats reduced the margin to four points with two 3-pointers by Evans with 7:22 and 6:49 remaining in the half.

The trifectas by Evans started a 12-3 run that gave pulled Willamette within 23-22 with 3:01 on the clock. Beshears scored the final basket of the half for Linfield at the 1:00 mark, giving the Wildcats a 25-22 lead at the intermission. Beshears led Linfield at halftime with eight points, while Evans had eight points for WU.

Evans hit her third 3-pointer of the game to start the second half and Kalugin added a driving layup to give the Bearcats a 27-25 advantage with 18:36 left in the game.

Linfield recorded 10 of the next 12 points to surge into a 35-29 advantage with 13:37 left. Krier started the run with six points on a 3-pointer and a traditional three-point play.

The Bearcats used a 6-2 run, including four points by Kalugin, to cut the deficit to 37-35 at the 8:47 mark. Julia Brand (Sr., F, Kaneohe, HI/Punahou School) completed the run with a layup.

Willamette also trailed by just two points after Gibson and Evans exchanged baskets, but the Wildcats scored seven straight points for a 46-37 lead with 4:23 remaining. WU pulled within 46-43 on two consecutive 3-pointers by Towry, and trailed just 48-46 after DeLong drained a 3-pointer with 2:50 on the clock.

Drier made two free throw for the Wildcats with 2:22 to go, as Linfield claimed a 50-46 edge. Willamette had a chance to reduce the lead in the final minute, but a 3-pointer by DeLong just missed with 18 seconds left. Brand missed a follow shot and DeLong was unable to score on a 3-pointer with 12.6 seconds to go.

Gibson sank two free throws for Linfield on second later to clinch the win for the Wildcats.

The Wildcats shot 35.8% for the game (19 of 53) and made 5 of 14 three-pointers. Linfield was 9 for 9 at the free throw line. Willamette connected on 28.1% of its field goals (18 of 64), including 8 of 31 on 3-point shots. WU was 2 for 5 on free throws. The Bearcats outrebound the Wildcats, 42-40.

Willamette will conclude the season on Saturday, Feb. 21, when the host Pacific University at Cone Field House. The Bearcats will honor the team's four seniors prior to the game. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. (PST).