MCMINNVILLE, Ore. - The Pacific Lutheran University women's basketball team nearly erased a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter, pulling within a possession of Northwest Conference rival Linfield College before running out of time on Saturday evening, ending on the wrong side of a 75-71 scoreline inside Ted Wilson Gymnasium.
 
The homestanding Wildcats (12-9, 6-6 NWC) built a 14-point advantage off a Kory Oleson layup with 8:14 remaining in the contest. The Lutes (9-12, 4-8 NWC) slowly chipped away at the lead with an Emma Janousek three bringing the Lutes within single digits with 6:28 remaining. 
 
The gap was reduced to just four on a Toni Thibert layup with 75 seconds left before closing within a possession on a Megan Drake bucket with 38 ticks left. PLU's deficit would remain just three points with 13 seconds left but a pair of threes fell off the mark as Linfield added a free throw in the final seconds to hold on for the four-point win.  
 
Linfield held a 19-11 lead after one quarter of play and took a 36-29 advantage into the locker room at halftime.
 
Drake led the Lutes with 21 points and eight rebounds, draining four threes on the afternoon. Kylie Rademacher chipped in 17 points and eight boards while Janousek dropped 15 points along with four assists and four steals. Toni Thibert was the fourth Lute in double figures, ending with 11 points and six boards.
 
PLU held a 25-14 edge in points off turnovers while also holding a slim 34-30 advantage in points in the paint. Linfield outclassed the Lutes at the charity stripe, making as many free throws (20) as the Lutes had attempts (20). 
 
The Lutes return to the court on Tuesday night, facing crosstown nemesis University of Puget Sound at 6 p.m. inside Olson Gymnasium.