TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University women's basketball team will be welcoming Linfield College into Olson Gymnasium on Saturday for a crucial Northwest Conference showdown to close out the short two-game homestand.
The Lutes (11-6, 4-5 NWC) are coming off a trio of tough setbacks against some of the best teams in the conference, dropping games to Whitman College, Whitworth University, and University of Puget Sound.
Katie Taylor led the way in scoring for PLU putting up 12 points against Whitman while dropping 16 against Puget Sound. Taylor has been one of the Lutes best weapons from behind the arc shooting an impressive 50.7 percent while hitting a team-high 38 threes.
Taylor is having an impressive first season for the Lutes and has taken the transition from high school to college in stride.
"Coming on to any new team can be a little intimidating, but my teammates were so welcoming and friendly. They made the transition to this new school and next level of basketball so easy!," said Taylor.
"It's been an exciting year for me to learn how to juggle being a collegiate athlete as well as a college student. As a team we have definitely grown to know each other's strengths, as well as having built a strong sense of trust amongst each other."
As the team moves forward, it seems as if there's only one thing on their minds: playoffs.
"Our goal as a team is to finish out the rest of our season strong, to end up in the top four of our conference, and move on to the postseason tournament."
This weekend's game will be pivotal in deciding how the team finishes in the Northwest Conference as the Wildcats and the Lutes both bring four conference wins to the game that is set to tip off a 4 p.m. as part of Lute Fest. Lute Fest is a night honoring all Lute alumni, donors, parents, family, and friends with an alumni game, a reception, and a game tipping off at 4 p.m. For more information, visit
golutes.com/LuteFest19.
Jan. 26: PLU vs. Linfield at Olson Gymnasium (4 p.m.)
Series History: The Lutes and Wildcats have met 79 times on the hardwood since the 1980-81 season with PLU enjoying a 49-30 advantage in the all-time series. PLU took the first meeting 80-68 back on Nov. 30 in McMinnville with
Madison Salisbury pouring on 20 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
About the Wildcats: Linfield (8-9, 4-4 NWC) heads into the weekend having won two of its last three. The Wildcats tallied victories over Whitworth (85-81) and Pacific University (76-73), sandwiched around a 95-61 setback to George Fox University.
Six of Linfield's eight wins in 2018-2019 have been at home, owning just a 2-6 record in games outside McMinnville.
Molly Danielson is the Wildcats leader in both scoring (20.3 points/game) and rebounding (9.2 per game) while Kory Oleson adds 19.4 ppg and 7.4 rpg.
