Junior Courtney Carolan (pictured) scored the final four points and secured the final two rebounds en route to a double double, scoring 26 points and grabbing 11 rebounds to lead the Pacific women's basketball team to a 68-64 win over Linfield in the Northwest Conference opener for both teams.
 
After the Wildcats made a 3-pointer with :22 left, Carolan made one of two free throws to put the Boxers ahead 66-64. On the ensuing Linfield possession, the Pacific defense and freshman Rilee Price had her hand on the Wildcats' Kory Oleson jumper which was alertly picked up by Carolan, who was immediately fouled. The junior sealed the win, making a pair of free throws.
 

"I thought tonight was a great team win," said Pacific head coach Alecia Parker. "The NWC is a battle every night and Linfield is a really good team. There is room for improvement but I am really impressed with our effort and ability to execute tonight."

Pacific (7-3, 1-0 NWC) won its conference opener for the first time since 2015-16 and the 7-3 start to the season is its best since 2012-13. To go along with the 26 points from Carolan, the Boxers got 14 points from Camy Aguinaldo and 12 more from Brilie Kovalhoff.
 
Linfield (6-4, 0-1 NWC) was led by Molly Danielson, who had 21 points and 20 rebounds to go along with 21 points from Oleson in the loss.
 
A 3-pointer by the Wildcats' Jordyn Feinauer put the visitors ahead by three, 54-51 to start the fourth quarter. Six-straight points by the Boxers put Pacific ahead 57-54 when Aguinaldo drained a pair of free throws with 7:16 left to play. The 6-0 spurt put Pacific ahead for the remainder of the contest.
 
Next up for Pacific is a trip to Lewis & Clark on Saturday at 4 p.m. to wrap up the opening weekend of Northwest Conference play.