by Joe Rayburn, Sports Information Student Assistant
PARKLAND – The Linfield Wildcats shot a blistering 54.5 percent from the field, including 8-of-14 from three-point territory, to pull away to an 82-60 Northwest Conference women's basketball victory over host Pacific Lutheran Friday night at Names Family Court.
Both teams finished the night with identical 6-10 overall records, 2-5 in conference play. The Lutes took the 6-5 lead two minutes into the contest before Linfield's shooters started to get hot, going on an 11-3 run during a five-minute span. Paced by Taylor Solomon's career-high 27 points (on 10-of-12 shooting) and teammate Kaely Maltman's 21, the Linfield offense set a pace that the Lutes were unable to maintain. Taylor hit four of five three-point attempts, and Maltman went five of seven from the field.
Samantha Potter (19 points) and Katelyn Smith (17) led the PLU offensive effort, with Potter adding 12 rebounds to tally the double-double and Smith grabbing eight rebounds. Kara Sherman rounded out the night with eight points, six rebounds and three steals.
PLU fought to try to erase a 10-point (43-33) halftime deficit, as the teams traded buckets coming out of the break. The Lutes pulled within eight a few minutes into the second period on a pair of Sarah Barnes free throws, making it 45-37. But Maltman scored five of the next six points as Linfield used a 16-5 run to stretch its lead to 19 points. From there the Wildcats never allowed PLU to draw closer than 14 points back.
The game was physical throughout, with 47 total fouls called. PLU finished the night with a 49-40 rebound advantage and a slight 14-13 turnover advantage, and the Lutes made three more free throws than the Wildcats (17-to-14) on three fewer attempts (26-to-20). But the big difference came from the field, where Linfield finished 30-of-55 (54.5 percent), while PLU shot a season-low 28.6 percent (20-of-70).
The Lutes return to action Saturday, as they host the Willamette Bearcats at Names Family Court with tipoff set at 6 p.m.
