The Westminster women's basketball came back after trailing the Fontbonne Griffins to win 70-65 on Senior Night Wednesday evening. The Blue Jays now hold a 14-3 conference record and 17-6 season record heading into their final regular season game.
"There was a lot of excitement because it was senior night and I think some of our heads were in other places, but we managed to buckle down and work to get out of the hole we were in," stated freshman guard Anna Houston. "It may not have been pretty, but it was a win and we know what we need to do and know that from here on we need to get back to playing like ourselves. It was a great home ending for our seniors though!"
The Blue Jays jumped out to a 2-0 lead with a basket by senior Danielle Williams, but the Griffins quickly knotted the game up. The game was tied up twice more before the Griffins scored a 9-0 run to go up 15-6 with 14:11 on the clock.
Sophomore Krista Armontrout was fouled on her made shot under the basket, sending her to the line. Her good free throw brought the Blue Jays within four, but the Griffins managed 6-0 run to jump up by 10.
Two from the foul line by junior Mackenzie Haddox put the Blue Jays within five with 3:59 on the clock. They got back within five with a three by sophomore Andrea Zalis, and heading into halftime, the Blue Jays trailed by eight, 39-31.
The Blue Jays set the tone for the second half by opening up with a 10-0 run to take the lead. Junior Kasey Gatson scored her 10th point in a matter of three minutes with a three-pointer to put the Blue Jays up by two with 16:41 on the clock.
The Blue Jays and the Griffins tied up the game three times over the span of seven minutes. With 8:05 left in the game, Armontrout hit a jumper to take the 57-55 lead. The Griffins tied up the game twice more, but the Blue Jays held their ground and kept hold of the lead.
Sophomore Payton Gruber knocked down a three with 5:00 on the clock to take a four point lead, 65-61, but the Griffins scored two consecutive shots to tie up the game for the ninth time with 52 seconds to go.
Zalis hit a bucket to grab back the lead and Gatson went to the line to put the Blue Jays up by three. With 10 seconds left in the game the Griffins fouled, sending Haddox to the line. Haddox made both, giving the Blue Jays a five point advantage. The Griffins missed their final attempt, ending the game with a 70-65 Blue Jay win.
Zalis led the Blue Jays with 14 points and added eight rebounds. Armontrout was one point shy of a double-double with nine points and 11 rebounds, and Haddox went 6-6 from the foul line to total 10 points. She added five rebounds and five assists to the win.
The Blue Jays celebrated the three basketball seniors, Danielle Smulczenski, Tylere Goans and Danielle Williams, following the game.
The Blue Jays will travel to Louisville, Kentucky to close out their regular season at Spalding University on Saturday, February 21. The Blue Jays will play at 1:00 p.m. EST.
