EUGENE, Ore.  – The Northwest Christian University women's basketball team rallied back from a 13-point halftime deficit only to fall to Linfield College on Saturday night in non-conference action, 64-56.
 
The Beacons came out cold, shooting 26% from the field in the first half as they scored just 17 points and found themselves down by as many as 15 points before the Wildcats claimed a 30-17 advantage at the intermission.
 
Whatever Head Coach Heath Alexander told the team in the locker room seemed to resonate as the visitors came out firing in the second half. A Melyssa Weber layup was followed by eight straight points from Chandler Gabrio as the Beacons used a 12-2 run to open the half, pulling within three points. The comeback was accented by back-to-back three pointers from Gabrio, forcing Linfield to take a time out with 14:34 remaining and a 32-29 lead.
 
The remainder of the period went back and forth. NCU was within four points in the final minutes but Linfield survived the free-throw battle, hitting six-for-six at the line in the final 30 seconds to secure the eight-point win.
 
The Beacons (4-5) were led by Weber, scoring 13 points. Gabrio scored 12 points and led NCU with seven rebounds before fouling out. Sami Pitts (pictured) scored ten points and led all players with four steals and four assists. NCU had 19 turnovers but forced 23 for Linfield as the Beacons collected 15 steals.
 
Linfield (6-3) got a double-double from Amantha Hood, scoring game highs with 21 points and ten rebounds. Genna Hughes came off the bench to score 11 while Hannah Depew added ten points. Linfield held a 43-37 advantage in rebounding.
 
NCU returns to Cascade Collegiate Conference action on Friday, traveling to face Evergreen at 5:30 p.m.