by Brittany Hodge

The Westminster women's basketball team sealed the win over Principia College Panthers Tuesday night, 61-50. The win brings the Blue Jays to 11-5 overall and 9-2 in conference.

Junior Kasey Gatson had a jumper and a three pointer to start off the Blue Jays early 10-0 lead. Principia battled back with a couple jump shots and three pointers, but were shot down when Sophomore Andrea Zalis hit a three pointer,with 11 minutes to go, to give the Blue Jays back their 10 point lead.

With 5:27 left in the half, the Blue Jays went on a 7-0 run stretching the score out by 20. The Panthers fought but fell short 18 points at the end of the first half, 37-19.

The Panthers came out in the second half with a pair of free throws, but Gatson answered with a three pointer and a jumper. The Blue Jays kept pushing keeping the lead above 20. At 11:03 left in the game, The Panthers drill a three to push the lead under 20 points. The Panthers got within 15 points of the Blue Jays with 4:46 to go. A three by Blue Jays freshman Payton Beeler and free throw from freshman Taylor Howard puts the Blue Jays back up 20 points.

With 2:44 left in the half, The Panthers go on a 7-0 run but the Blue Jays had a lead big enough to seal the win 61-50.

Gatson ended the game with 16 points and seven rebounds, and Zalis put up 11 points, going 3-3 from the three point line. Seniors Danielle Smulczenski and Danielle Williams both had 7 rebounds a piece.

The Blue Jays play Greenville at home on Saturday, January 31, at 1:00 p.m.