McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Dempsey Roggenbuck poured in a career-high 35 points and the Linfield Wildcats converted 15 three-point shots on the way to a 112-78 rout of the La Verne Leopards in a nonconference men's basketball tilt Tuesday afternoon inside Ted Wilson Gymnasium.
Roggenbuck sank 13 of 17 shots from the field and was a perfect 3-of-3 at the free throw line, helping Linfield (2-0) to its second win in three days. Eastern Washington University transfer Grant Gibb added 22 points in 19 minutes of action. Gibb made four three-pointers while hitting 6 of 11 shots.
"Dempsey was flat out spectacular tonight, what a night for him," said Linfield coach Shanan Rosenberg. "His decision making, off-ball movement and effort was outstanding. Riley Bruil and Eric Daul lifted our team's energy and spirit all night with their defensive energy and unselfish play."
1st half
Linfield quickly established the pace, bolting to a 20-4 lead on a layup by Austin Hilton at the 14:37 mark. The Leopards trimmed the margin to single digits momentary before the 'Cats surged back in front by 19 points following consecutive baskets by Will Burghardt and Roggenbuck with 5½ minutes remaining before intermission.
Linfield led by 21 points at the break, 54-33, as Gibb scored 14 of his 22 in the opening stanza.
2nd half
The Wildcats kept the pressure on the Leos to start the second period. When Roggenbuck breezed into the key for a layup in the paint at the 15:19 mark, Linfield led by 30, 72-42. Linfield's lead never dwindled to fewer than 25 points the rest of the way as Rosenberg made liberal use of his ample bench.
'Cat stats
Putting on a shooting clinic in only its second game, Linfield sank 15 of 31 shots from three-point range, the third-highest single-game total in program history. Roggenbuck, Gibb and Tanner Autencio combined to hit 12 of 17 attempts from behind the arc. The Wildcats ended the game shooting 54.5 percent overall, 48.4 percent from long distance.
Burghardt totaled nine points, three steals and two assists. Liam O'Reilly added eight points, five rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots. Rookie Aaron Baune pitched in off the bench with eight points and four assists.
Linfield's starting backcourt of Bruil and Daul combined for 10 assists and no turnovers.
Hilton led the 'Cats on the backboards, sweeping up six rebounds while O'Reilly helped out with five boards.
Leopard lines
Sinai Enoch led La Verne with 24 points on 8 of 11 shooting. Donnell Leffridge IV added 14 points and Evan Gustafson netted 12. Gustafson and Isaiah Knox both grabbed seven rebounds for the visitors.
In a fast-paced, end-to-end contest, the teams combined for 30 turnovers, 21 by the Leopards.
Rosenberg's remarks
"Once again, we had significant contributions from many players. In particular, I was very pleased with our big guys, Austin Hilton and Matt Berger, who both played terrific. Will, Liam and Tanner all made some beautiful hustle plays and great decisions with the ball, and rebounded well out of their area.
"It was fun to see our team eager to improve tonight and keep consistent energy and pace throughout the game. La Verne did a great job on the glass, that's still an area that we need to build on – and we will."
Next
Linfield heads to Santa Cruz, Calif., to compete in the UC-Santa Cruz Classic. Friday, the Wildcats square off against Chapman at 7 p.m. The following day, Linfield meets Cal Lutheran at 5.