Boxers Use Second Half Tight Finish To Slide Past Wildcats
Box Score
MCMINNVILLE, Ore. – With only a two point lead at halftime, the Pacific women's basketball team used the second half tight finish to slide past with a 48-46 victory over rival Linfield in Northwest Conference play at Ted Wilson Gymnasium on Friday evening.
Paige Jensen (Sr., Bemidji, Minn.) led the Boxers with 11 points and seven rebounds in 25 minutes of play. She shot 5 of 9 from the field and 50 percent from the free throw line.
Olivia Cook (So., Beaverton, Ore.) was second best, coming off the bench to score eight points and grab seven rebounds in 19 minutes of play. She made 2 of 6 from the field and was perfect from the free throw line, making all four attempts.
The Boxers opened the scoring after a foul by Linfield (2-16, 1-11 NWC).
Kaila Johnson (So., McKinleyville, Calif.) was sent to the free throw line. She made the second attempt to start the game off with a 1-0 lead. The Wildcats took their first lead of the game at the 17:40 mark with a layup. They would take the lead to three after a made jumper, but the Boxers controlled the rest of the half after a three –pointer from
Erica Colter (Sr., Kennewick, Wash.) with 8:36 left to play, Boxers leading 15-11.
A made free throw and a sunken jumper by Jensen put the Boxers up by their biggest lead in the first half, leading 21-15. A Johnson foul put the Wildcats at the line to make two free throws with 4:15 left to play in the half, but the Boxers went up by six again after a jumper from Cook. Linfield crept back in the game as the Boxers headed into the second half only lead 25-23.
The Wildcats opened the second half with a jumper, tying the game at 25. The Boxers went on a 9-0 run before the Wildcats scored again. Colter's jumper, Jensen's three jumpers and a three from Johnson put the Boxers ahead 36-27.
The Boxers led by 10, their largest lead of the evening after a trey from
Nani Ostrom (So., Juneau, Alaska). Linfield began to game momentum, going on a 5-0 run to cut the Boxer lead to 39-34. A jumper from Jensen put the Boxers up by seven, but the Wildcats came back again on a made free throw shot.
The Wildcats came within two with 1:20 left to play. The Boxer gained a four point lead after two made free throws by Cook. With 14 seconds left to play, Linfield hit a three to cut the Boxer lead to one. The Wildcats were put in a foul situation to gain possession. Colter was sent to the free throw line, making one of two free throws to put the Boxers up 48-46. Linfield had a final chance to tie the game, but missed the jumper.
The Boxers shot 32 percent from the field and 29 percent from the three-point line. The Wildcats outrebounded the Boxers 45-44, but the Boxers forced 17 turnovers.
The Boxers improved to a 13-8, 6-7 NWC record. They return home on Saturday to play host to Pacific Lutheran. Tip off is at 6 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at goboxers.com.
