FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 8, 2026
McMinnville, Ore.| The Warner Pacific University women's basketball team continued its early-season schedule Sunday afternoon, traveling to McMinnville, Oregon, for a nonconference matchup against Linfield University. Despite a strong offensive start and an impressive shooting performance from beyond the arc, the Knights fell to the Wildcats 78-67.
ShielTeal Watah once again led the Warner Pacific offense, finishing with a team-high 22 points and eight rebounds.
Lauren Katyryniuk provided a spark off the bench, scoring 10 points while connecting on two three-pointers, while
Riley Layton contributed nine points and three rebounds.
Warner Pacific came out firing in the opening quarter, establishing an early offensive rhythm behind efficient shooting from the field and beyond the arc. The Knights connected on 8-of-16 field goal attempts (50.0 percent), including an impressive 5-of-10 from three-point range, as both teams traded baskets throughout the opening 10 minutes.
Neither side was able to establish a significant advantage, with Warner Pacific and Linfield entering the second quarter tied at 23-23. The Knights continued their strong offensive production early in the second period, finding success through their perimeter shooting and ball movement.
However, Linfield responded midway through the quarter with a 12-0 scoring run, shifting momentum in favor of the Wildcats. Warner Pacific continued battling offensively, but Linfield maintained its advantage down the stretch to take a 46-40 lead into halftime.
The Wildcats carried that momentum into the third quarter, using efficient offensive execution to extend their lead to as many as 13 points.
Warner Pacific continued to compete, receiving valuable contributions from its reserves while working to close the gap. However, the Knights struggled to find consistency from three-point range during the period, allowing Linfield to maintain control heading into the final quarter.
Despite facing a double-digit deficit, Warner Pacific refused to back down in the fourth.
The Knights increased their defensive intensity, limiting Linfield to just 13 points over the final 10 minutes while looking to generate a late comeback.
Watah and
Bryten Gumke each connected on three-pointers to help cut into the Wildcats' advantage, but Linfield answered Warner Pacific's scoring opportunities and held on to secure the 78-67 victory.
Watah delivered another strong all-around performance, finishing with 22 points on 9-of-22 shooting, including three made three-pointers. She also collected eight rebounds, all on the defensive glass.
Katyryniuk provided valuable production off the bench with 10 points and two three-pointers, while Layton added nine points and three rebounds. Gumke contributed eight points off the bench, providing another offensive spark for the Knights.
KJ Cluster helped direct the Warner Pacific offense, distributing a team-high six assists.
As a team, Warner Pacific finished the afternoon shooting 45.8 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from three-point range (10-of-24).
The Knights also demonstrated strong ball movement, recording 16 assists on 27 made field goals, while committing just 10 turnovers throughout the contest. Although Warner Pacific was unable to overcome Linfield's second-quarter surge, the Knights showed encouraging signs offensively, particularly with their perimeter shooting and ability to take care of the basketball.
Warner Pacific will look to build on those positives as it continues its early-season schedule.
After the game, head coach Jeff Perrault was asked why stopping players from going coast to coast was so difficult for the Knights tonight.
"I think the problem is communication and being vocal about who has the ball and who has the man. That's the number one thing. You always want to declare 'I got ball' and then everyone else can say, 'I got man.' So it's a lack of communication with each other that is occurring."
Next Up
Warner Pacific will return to action Wednesday, November 11, traveling to Portland, Oregon, for an exhibition matchup against the University of Portland at the Chiles Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m.
