The Westminster women's basketball team fell to Spalding University in overtime of their final regular season game, 91-82. The Westminster Blue Jays end the regular season with a 14-4 conference record and a 17-7 overall record.
"We competed hard and I'm really proud of our composure throughout the game," commented Head Coach Tracey Braden. "Against a team like Spalding, you have to stay poised and strong for the entire game, and I think we did just that. I like the way we battled and our players coming into the game were ready to play."
The Spalding Golden Eagles took a quick 5-0 lead, but sophomore Andrea Zalis hit a jumper and a three to tie up the game just over two minutes in. The Golden Eagles scored two within 20 seconds, forcing the Blue Jays to call a timeout.
The Golden Eagles were up by six with 13:08 to play, but sophomore Payton Gruber and junior Mackenzie Haddox each hit a three to knot it up at 15-15. A three by junior Sadie Theroff gave the Blue Jays thier first lead of the game with 11:43 on the clock, 18-17. The lead was short-lived as the Golden Eagles tied the game after going 1-2 from the foul line, and then went on to a 11-1 run to take a 10 point lead, 29-19.
The Blue Jays went 4-4 from the foul line to aid in the 14-4 run to bring the game to 33-33 each with 3:50 to play in the first half. The Blue Jays were held from scoring in the final minutes, while Spalding scored seven to send the Blue Jays into halftime trailing 40-33.
Sophomore Krista Armontrout scored just 15 seconds into the second half to bring the Blue Jays within five, but the Golden Eagles jumped out to a 10 point lead three minutes in. They remained with a 10 point lead until Theroff and junior Kasey Gatson each hit a three to bring the game within five, 58-53.
Haddox's 4-4 from the line, added with Theroff's 2-2 from the line and Zalis' three-pointer, brought the Blue Jays within four with 8:17 to play, 66-62. Gatson scored a fast break layup off her steal to put the game within two. The Golden Eagles remained in control of the lead, but the Blue Jays kept the game within two.
Zalis' fourth three-pointer of the game gave the Blue Jays their second lead of the game with 4:33 left in regulation play. Haddox hit two more from the foul line to take a three point lead, and Zalis put in two from the line to take a five point advantage with 2:20 on the clock.
With 1:20 on the clock, Zalis fouled, sending Spalding to the line for two. Spalding drained both, bringing the game within three, 78-75. The Blue Jays missed their shot attempt and the Golden Eagles rebounded. Spalding's Guy was fouled on her layup, but she made it. She also made the point after, tying the game with :38 on the clock.
An offensive foul by the Blue Jays lost their opportunity to score, sending the ball to the Golden Eagles' side of the court. Armontrout fouled, sending the Golden Eagles to the line for two with three seconds of play. They missed both free throws, leaving the game tied at 78-78. Time expired, sending the game into overtime.
The Golden Eagles scored first in overtime to take a two point lead, but Gatson made a jump shot to knot it back up. Spalding scored on the next two plays while the Blue Jays were unable to find the net, giving the Golden Eagles a four point advantage.
Haddox went 2-2 from the free throw line to bring the Blue Jays back within two with 3:14 left in overtime. After the Golden Eagles went on a 6-0 run, the Blue Jays called a timeout with 33 seconds to play.
The Blue Jays were unable to score again and the Golden Eagles added one more point to the board to win in overtime, 91-82.
The Blue Jays went 25-28 from the foul line, shooting 89.3 percent. They also shot 45.8 percent from the three-point line.
Zalis and Gatson led the Blue Jay scoring with 20 points apiece. Haddox totaled 19 points after going 10-10 from the foul line. She also led the game with five assists. Armontrout pulled down six boards, leading the Blue Jays.
Coach Braden added, "Spalding's Stiles and Guy are such quality players, and they gave us fits on the offensive glass." Stiles and Guy both finished with double-doubles. Stiles had 29 points and 14 rebounds and Guy had 26 points and 16 rebounds.
The Blue Jays will enter the SLIAC Tournament hosted by Spalding University as the number two seed. The Tournament preview will be released on Monday and the first day of the Tournament will take place in Louisville, Ky. on Thursday, February 26.
