By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

McMINNVILLE, ORE. -- Linfield College built a 34-20 halftime lead and went on to defeat a short-handed Willamette University team, 66-45, on Tuesday, Feb. 19 at Ted Wilson Gymnasium, in the final regular season game for both teams.

Linfield ended its season at 3-29 overall, 2-14 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette, which competed with just six players, concluded the year at 2-23, 2-14 in the NWC. The teams tied for eighth place in the NWC standings.

The Wildcats scored the game's first four points and then the teams alternated scoring until the Wildcats held an 11-8 advantage. Linfield increased its lead to 17-8 by scoring the next six points.

Those six points started a 13-3 run by the Wildcats that gave them a 24-11 lead. Catie Mets completed the run with a 3-pointer followed by a fast-break layup with 8:12 left in the half.

Katie Kalugin (So., F, Woodburn, OR/Woodburn HS) scored on a nifty driving layup at the 6:35 mark to get the Bearcats back on the scoreboard. Jojo DeLong (So., G, Santa Clarita, CA/Canyon HS) went 1 for 2 at the foul line on WU's next possession, reducing the Wildcats' lead to 24-14.

Willamette also trailed by 10 points, 26-1, following an offensive rebound an layup by Julia Brand (So., F, Kaneohe, HI/Punahou School) with 4:45 to go in the half.

Linfield countered with an 8-0 run, starting and ending with a layup by Jessica McMillan, to extend their advantage to 34-16. Willamette ended the half by hitting 4 of 4 free throws to pull within 34-20. The Bearcats made 8 of 11 free throws during the half, while Linfield went 4 for 4 at the line.

WU scored four of the first six points in the second half, but Linfield answered with an 8-0 run to build a 44-24 lead. The Bearcats recorded the next point on a free throw, but didn't get as close again until 56-37 with 5:41 left, as Linfield closed in on the win.

Kaely Maltman topped Linfield with 15 points on 6 of 7 field goals and 3 of 4 free throws. She also led the Wildcats with seven rebounds.

Kalugin scored 14 points and grabbed five boards for Willamette. Brand contributed 10 points, while Daena Mau (So., G, Aiea, HI/Punahou School) provided seven points. DeLong grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.

Linfield shot 44.1% for the game (26 of 59) and hit 11 of 14 free throws (78.6%). The Wildcats gained a 44-34 rebounding edge. Willamette shot 27.% overall (15 of 54), including 34.6% in the second half. The Bearcats made 12 fo 19 free throws (63.2%). Each team committed 13 turnovers.