Linfield College Sunday Sports Wrap

Marci Klimek's result at the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships was the highest finish by a Linfield woman in national competition since the program transitioned from NAIA to NCAA in 1998.

Sophomore Marci Klimek emerged from a crowded field of 280 women’s runner to finish 68th in 22 minutes, 43 seconds. Klimek’s result equaled the highest finish by a Linfield woman in national competition since the program transitioned from NAIA to NCAA in 1998.

McMINNVILLE, Ore. - Here is a recap of Saturday sports action and sports news from Linfield College in McMinnville, Ore.

Men's Basketball:

Linfield Downs Cal State-East Bay:

With the help of 21 points from Brian Murphy, Linfield went on the road and knocked off Cal State-East Bay 81-73 Saturday night.

Cal State-East Bay (0-1) led by one at the half before the Wildcats used some hot 3-point shooting in the second half of play to upend the Pioneers.

Linfield (2-0) outscored the Pioneers 41-32 in the second half to capture the win. Joel Paul helped out with 12 points on the night while K.C. Wiser chipped in with 11 points and a team-high six rebounds.

Linfield travels to Portland State Tuesday for a 7 p.m. tipoff with the Vikings.

Women's Basketball:

Linfield Wins Overtime Thriller:

With 1:57 left in overtime, a Brihtani Lassiter field goal proved to be the difference for Linfield as the Wildcats escaped Memorial Fieldhouse with a 69-68 win over Evergreen State.

Lassiter finished with a team-high 17 points, while Kate Stadeli chipped in with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

With the win, Linfield moves to 2-0 on the season while Evergreen State continues to search for its first victory, dropping to 0-5 on the young season.

Linfield is idle until Friday when the ‘Cats open up the David Wells Class against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in Claremont, Calif.

Cross Country:

Wildcats trio shines at NCAAs

It was a milestone day for the Linfield cross country program at the 2007 NCAA Division III championships, hosted by St. Olaf College.

On a cold Saturday, sophomore Marci Klimek emerged from a crowded field of 280 women’s runner to finish 68th in 22 minutes, 43 seconds. Klimek’s result equaled the highest finish by a Linfield woman in national competition since the program transitioned from NAIA to NCAA in 1998. Former Wildcats star Carrie Mahoric also finished 68th at the 1998 NCAA championships.

Among Northwest Conference finishers, Klimek improved her standing from 10th at both the conference and regional championships to seventh at the NCAAs.

In the men’s race, senior Shawn Pollard earned the highest finish for a Linfield man in NCAA competition, claiming 118th place in 25:55. He was the fifth Northwest Conference runner to cross the finish line, improving upon his eighth place result at the NWC championships.

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