Dec. 1, 2006

Lutes Start NWC Title Defense With Impressive Victory Over Linfield

Game Statistics

Megan Clarno (23) and Trish Buckingham (34) battle for a rebound

Trinity Gibbons defends on the perimeter

Pacific Lutheran opened up their Northwest Conference women's basketball title defense in impressive form, defeating visiting Linfield, 61-39, on Friday night at Olson Auditorium.

Pacific Lutheran held Linfield to 28 percent shooting from the field while shooting 46.3 percent in a game that got off to a blistering start. The Wildcats weren’t able to keep pace with the defending conference champions. In their first home game of the season the Lutes trailed 4-2 four minutes into the game but it was all PLU from there.

Linfield (2-2 overall, 1-1 conference) started off hot but 10 minutes into the period the Lutes went on 19-4 run and ended the half with a 33-14 lead. That was as much room as the Lutes would need.

In the second half the Wildcats weren’t able match the offensive potency of the Lutes as they shot 5-for-18 from the field in the second half.

Nikki Johnson paced the Lutes with 16 points and six rebounds in only 25 minutes of action. Kezia Long and Danika Lawson each scored 10 points for PLU.

Jamie Godfrey scored 14 of Linfield’s 39 points, on 3-for-10 shooting. Kate Stadeli added seven points.

Tomorrow, Pacific Lutheran will once again be at home against the Willamette Bearcats at 6 p.m.

- PLU -