Women's Basketball Release
1/10 - GEORGE FOX 75, LINFIELD 43: Leith Pours in 26 Points as Bruins Decisively Down Wildcats
McMINNVILLE, Ore. - Kim Leith sank six three-point field goals, one short of the school record, and poured in 26 points, leading the George Fox University Bruins to a decisive 75-43 win over the Linfield College Wildcats and into sole possession of second place in the Northwest Conference women's basketball race Tuesday night here at Ted Wilson Gym.
A three by Robin Taylor, a steal and layup by Taylor, and Leith's first trey of the game got the Bruins off to an 8-0 lead, and the Bruins led all the way for the sixth time this season. Leith made a rare four-point play, getting fouled while making a three and hitting the follow-up free throw, for a 21-10 lead that gave the Bruins a double-digit lead that they maintained the remainder of the game. Leith scored 16 first-half points, hitting 5-6 from the field and 5-5 from long range, and Taylor added 11 as the Bruins took a 43-21 lead into the half.
The Bruins were even stingier in the second half, opening the period with a 10-2 run and holding the Wildcats to only four points for almost 13 minutes. Leith made her sixth three to make it 59-27 with 12:36 left, then hit a short jumper in the lane and a layup after a steal for a 64-27 lead with 10 minutes left before coming out. Jordan Wilde's free throw gave the Bruins their largest lead of 38 points at 65-27 with 7:55 to go before the Wildcats made a belated 18-10 run to end the game.
In addition to Leith's big game, Taylor finished with 20 points and Katy Campbell had 12, while Tiffany Behary passed out 9 assists, a career high. Tiffany Schmidt and Wilde had 8 rebounds apiece, and Schmidt blocked 6 shots. The Bruins wound up shooting 50.0% from the field (25-50), including a sizzling 62.3% (12-19) from three-point range.
The Wildcats had no one in double figures, Porcia Jackson leading the team with 8 points. She also had 7 rebounds as the Wildcats held a 45-43 edge on the boards, including 25 offensive rebounds. The home team couldn't put their extra shots in the hole, however, shooting 26.6% (17-64) for the game.
Ball control was a sore spot for both teams as the Bruins made 29 turnovers and Linfield coughed it up 33 times. Both also had their troubles at the line, George Fox hitting 50.0% (13-26) but Linfield really struggling at 33.3% (6-18).
George Fox, ranked 5th in the latest USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Division III coaches' poll and 6th in the D3hoops.com poll, improved to 13-1 overall and 4-1 in the conference, trailing only 4-0 Pacific Lutheran University. Linfield dropped to 9-5 overall and 3-2 in the league.
The Bruins visit Lewis & Clark College Friday while the Wildcats go to Willamette University Saturday for their next conference matchups. Both games are at 6 p.m., followed by NWC men's games at 8 p.m.