McMINNVILLE, Ore. (Courtesy Linfield Sports Information) – Three players posted double-digit scoring and the Wildcats avoided a late meltdown to earn their first women’s basketball victory the year, a 58-51 win over Evergreen State Saturday night at Ted Wilson Gymnasium.
Katelyn Henson scored a game-high 16 points, Kaely Maltman added 15 and Gretchen Owens had 13 to lead the ‘Cats (1-1). Henson was impressive in just her second collegiate game, filling up the stat sheet with a game-high seven rebounds as well as four assists.
Linfield held a 13-point lead with 8:14 remaining in the game. But the Geoducks (1-2) went on an 11-2 run to cut the lead to 56-51. Evergreen State held the Wildcats scoreless for a 4:24 stretch and also forced the home team into eight turnovers, including three 30-second shot clock violations.
But freshman Alex Christensen (Fr., Hillsboro, Ore.) calmly sank two free throws with 23 seconds remaining to give the ‘Cats some breathing room and provide the final margin of victory at seven points.
Both teams flirted with the lead over the first eight minutes of the opening period. The ‘Cats went ahead for good at the 12:35 mark on a layup by Owens, and by halftime were up by 10 points, 35-25.
Linfield won the rebounding battle, 36-38, and also led Evergreen State in steals, 11-7.
The visiting Geoducks matched the Wildcats with three players in double figures. Jessica Edge had 15 on 6-of-12 shooting, Danielle Swain supplied 12 and Sami Clark scored 11.
The Geoducks will next be in action on Monday when they travel to take on Central Washington, beginning at 5:00 pm in Ellensburg, Wash.
