McMINNVILLE, Ore. - Jordan Westering and Tracy Goehri combined for 40 points and 13 rebounds, helping Pacific Lutheran race past Linfield, 75-58, in the Northwest Conference women's basketball opener for both schools on Saturday afternoon at Ted Wilson Gymnasium.

The win was the 29th in a row for the Lutes (3-7 overall, 1-0 NWC) over the Wildcats (2-8, 0-1) dating back to the 1995-96 season.

Goehri hit 9-of-11 shots on her way to 20 points and she collared a game-high seven rebounds. Westering added 20 points by cashing in 7-of-11 shots, including 4-of-6 from three-point range, and she added six rebounds. The Lutes shot .549 from the field for the game.

Gretchen Owens scored a team-high 19 points for Linfield, followed by Kelsey Forrest with 13 points and Nadra Evans with 12.

The game was neck-and-neck throughout the first half with neither team building more than a five-point advantage until the final seconds of play. PLU led throughout much of the half, but Linfield took a momentary 19-17 lead following a free throw by Owens. A late spurt pushed the Lutes to a 30-24 halftime lead, an advantage they would not relinquish. Kamy Harris hit a 3-pointer from the right side with 45 seconds to play and Goehri worked inside for a layup with four seconds left, giving the Lutes their largest lead of the contest to that point.

Though PLU outshot Linfield .481 to .269 in the first half, the Wildcats forced 11 first-half turnovers to keep the game close. Goehri led the visitors with 10 first-half points, hitting 5-of-6 shots from the field.

The Lutes kept the pressure on the Wildcats to begin the second half, eventually building a 50-36 advantage with just over eight minutes remaining. Evans cut the margin to eight points, 60-52, with 4:12 to play, but the Wildcats could come no closer after that.

(Courtesy of Linfield Sports Information Office.)