With a new coach and growing confidence, the Roll Cats start off the season with a win.

Casey Bunn, head coach of the women’s basketball team, has instilled a new mindset and coached her players into the first win of the season against the Multnomah University Lions from Portland, Oregon.

“The girls came out and played really hard, they executed our game plan and are buying into our strategies. They’re putting in all of the work,” Coach Bunn said.

Linfield sophomore, Amantha Hood, was the leading scorer against the Lions and rallied in double-double stats. Hood played 28 minutes and dominated the floor with 21-points and 13-rebounds.

“Everyone contributed offensively and defensively,” Hood said.

Improving as a team and seeing the difference from tryouts until now is noticeable, according to Hood.

Bunn has instilled a new confidence into her players. She encourages them to communicate with one another.

“Coach Bunn makes us work to better each other and helped us grow with chemistry on and off the court,” Hood said.

The team averaged a 20-point deficit against the Lions and gathered an 87-67 final score.

Quincey Gibson, a junior from Issaquah, Washington, played 35 minutes and tallied in 14 points for the Wildcats.

Sophomore from Scio, Oregon, Paige Graham shot three-for-five from the three-point line and accumulated 11-points for the team.

“I think if we compete every game and stick to our strategies, I think we will be successful. If the girls are having fun and enjoying it, to me that is the most important thing,” Coach Bunn said.