Blue Jays Overwhelmed By Tigers

Romo Tabb
Romo Tabb

MT. PLEASANT, Iowa - Westminster men's basketball lost a 79-61 game to SLIAC opponent Iowa Wesleyan.

The Blue Jays fall to 16-4 overall and 12-4 in the conference.

"It was a tough day for us today," said Westminster Head Coach Matt Mitchell. "We were flat and looked as if the heavy schedule of games finally caught up to us."

The first 10 minutes featured three ties and two lead changes in a back-and-forth battle in which neither team lead by more than five points.

At the 10:06 mark, the Tiger began a 10-0 run, and the Blue Jays would never be able to catch up.

"There was a lid on the basket today," said Mitchell. "We shot as poorly today as we have all year." Westminster shot 35% from the field and 18% from behind the arc. 

Two made freethrows from Carter Wands put the Blue Jays back within three, and the teams went into the locker room at the half with the Tigers up 34-31.

Iowa Wesleyan opened the half on a 10-2 run to open their lead to double-digits. Seven unanswered points from Romo Tabb put the Blue Jays back within eight points with 12 minutes to play. 

Eight unanswered points from the Tigers made the deficit 20 points, but Westminster still attempted to crawl back in the game. Tanner Gentges hit a three-pointer in the last possession of the game to make the final score 79-61. 

Tabb led the team with 22 points on 9-14 shooting. Sean O'Brien added 12 while Tanner Cochran hit double-digits in scoring with 10. 

"Romo and Sean were our primary offensive threats today and Iowa Wesleyan forced us to make some perimeter shots that we just couldn't get to fall," said Mitchell.

Westminster stays on the road to face Eureka Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 8 p.m.