Jan. 25, 2008

Lutes Make it 25 Wins in a Row Over Linfield

Box Score

Kyle Haag - another big night for PLU

McMINNVILLE, Ore. - Kyle Haag scored 22 points as Pacific Lutheran defeated the Linfield Wildcats, 69-60, in a Northwest Conference women's basketball game played Friday night at Ted Wilson Gymnasium.

The win was the Lutes' 25th straight over Linfield dating back to the 1995-96 season. In winning their third straight after a 0-4 start in conference play this season, the Lutes improved their overall record to 10-6. Linfield, meanwhile, slides to 9-7 on the year and 2-5 in conference play.

Haag finished the game 8-of-17 from the field and 6-of-11 from beyond the arc. Haag also made 6-of-11 from three-point range while scoring 22 points in the Lutes' 65-52 win over Whitman last Saturday. The three-point specialist came up with two key treys in the final 4:30 to take away any hopes of a Linfield comeback.

The Wildcats held the Lutes in check in the opening minutes as PLU opened the game 1-of-10 from the field, but PLU eventually took a 25-22 lead going into the locker room despite shooting 36 percent.

With the score tied at 27-27 in the opening minutes of the second half, the Lutes scored seven unanswered points. After the Lutes meticulously extended their lead to 47-37 with 11:32 to play, the Wildcats proved tough to put away. Linfield went on a 12-3 run over the next four minutes, capped off with two Courtney McFadden free throws, which pulled the ‘Cats within one at 50-49.

PLU answered with two straight jumpers from Amy Spieker, pushing the lead back out to six. Whenever Linfield seemed to have a final spurt, Haag would come up with a big shot to erase all hope.

The Lutes outrebounded the Wildcats, 39-32, leading to 11 second-chance points. PLU got its touch back in the second half, shooting 53.1 percent in the period to finish with 45.6 percent accuracy for the game.

Needing scores to get back in the game, the Wildcats could not find the long ball as they went 4-of-16 from three-point range. The ‘Cats shot 37.9 percent from the field for the game.

Emily Voorhies provided the muscle inside for the Lutes, scoring 16 points and picking up six rebounds, while point guard Trinity Gibbons led the Lutes with eight rebounds. Courtney McFadden led the Wildcats with 18 points and 10 rebounds while Brihtani Lassiter chipped in with 15.

(Courtesy of Linfield College Sports Information Office)