The Westminster women's basketball team was knocked out of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) Tournament by Eureka on Thursday evening, 71-58. The Westminster Blue Jays end the season with a 17-8 overall record.
The Blue Jays had a slow start to the game while the Eureka Red Devils jumped out to a 6-1 lead, but junior Kasey Gatson hit a jumper and junior Sadie Theroff hit a three within 40 seconds of each other to knot up the game at 6-6. A three by junior Mackenzie Haddox gave the Blue Jays the 9-6 lead with 14:28 on the clock.
Eureka tied up the game, took the lead, and then extended their lead to four points, but Haddox and sophomore Krista Armontrout each hit a bucket to tie up the game at 17-17. Eureka called a timeout and returned to the court to hit two shots in a row. Armontrout hit a jumper to bring the Blue Jays within two, but Eureka answered with a 12-1 run to take the 33-20 lead with 2:24 left in the first half.
The Blue Jays were unable to cut down the lead before halftime, sending the game into half with the score at 36-24, Eureka.
Sophomore Andrea Zalis scored first in the second half with a three-pointer to bring the Blue Jays within nine, but Eureka scored five to increase their lead back to double digits.
With 13:01 left in the game, senior Tylere Goans hit two shots to bring the Blue Jays back within eight points. Eureka pulled away, but a jump shot by senior Danielle Smulczenski brought the Blue Jays within seven points with 8:47 on the clock.
Eureka scored six, forcing the Blue Jays to call a timeout. The Blue Jays brought the game back within 10 with three minutes remaining in the game, but with just over two minutes left in the game, the Blue Jays resorted to fouling to stop the clock. Eureka went 8-10 from the foul line while the Blue Jays were only able to grab a three. Senior Danielle Williams closed out the game with two made free throws, ending the Blue Jays' chance at the SLIAC Championship with a 71-58 loss.
Zalis ended the semifinal game with a double-double; she pulled down 10 boards, added 10 points and had four assists. Haddox and Theroff each led in points with 11, and Armontrout and Gatson each led in rebounds with 10 a piece.
Following the loss, the SLIAC held their awards ceremony. Kasey Gatson earned First Team All-Conference honors while Andrea Zalis earned a spot on the Second Team All-Conference. Mackenzie Haddox was named to the Third Team All-Conference, as well as the All-Defensive Team.
The Blue Jay squad received the 2014-15 SLIAC Sportsmanship Award for their positive and sportsmanlike behavior they demonstrated throughout the season. Sophomore Bailey Mitchell earned the Westminster spot on the SLIAC All-Sportsmanship Team.
