The Westminster women's basketball team extends their win streak to seven games with Wednesday night's 87-52 win over MacMurray College. The Westminster Blue Jays sit second in the SLIAC with a 12-2 record and a 14-5 season record.
"We had great energy throughout the game," commented Head Coach Tracey Braden. "Several players had key contributions in the 40 minutes." The Blue Jays had four players in double digits for points.
The Blue Jays jumped out to a 4-0 lead after juniors Sadie Theroff and Mackenzie Haddox each went 2-2 from the foul line. Theroff drained a three six minutes into the game to take a six point lead.
With 10 minutes on the clock, junior Kasey Gatson hit a bucket to spark an 8-0 run over the following three and a half minutes to take a 14 point lead, 30-16. The Blue Jays maintained a strong lead and headed into halftime with a 16 point lead, 42-26.
A strong beginning to the second half had the Blue Jays with an 11-3 run and a 24 point lead. Two baskets by Haddox put the Blue Jays up by 27, but MacMurray found an 8-0 run to bring the game within 20 points with 11:42 to play.
The Blue Jays slowly increased their lead, and a steal and fast break layup by freshman Taylor Howard put them back up by 30 with 4:13 to go.
Andrea Zalis' three-pointer gave the Blue Jays their largest lead of the game with 35 points with 3:15 to go. Freshman Payton Beeler hit a jump shot to close out the game with a 87-52 win.
Gatson had her fourth 20+ point game this season with 24 points, going 8-9 from the field and 6-6 from the foul line. Haddox went 5-8 from the field and 4-4 from the foul line to add 15 points to the win.
Zalis and Krista Armontrout each led the game with seven boards, and Zalis had three blocks.
"I am really proud of the growth she has made in her game. She was physical and aggressive," stated Coach Braden about Armontrout. "(Kasey) Gatson has also become a steady force for us offensively."
Coach Braden added, "lots of players came off the bench and ready to play! That is big for us and important as we grind it out these next two weeks."
The Blue Jays turn around and host Central Christian tomorrow at 5:00 p.m.
