The Westminster women's basketball team defeated Wesley College on day one of the St. Pete Classic hosted by Echerd College, 71-51. The win brings the Westminster Blue Jays to 5-3 on the season.
"We are so excited and blessed to be down here," stated senior Kasey Gatson. "We came out focused and ready to play as a unit. It was a fun win for us because so many people played quality minutes to round out the win." Gatson recorded her first collegiate double-double in the win.
"Our full court pressure and attacking in transition really set the tone for us," commented Head Coach Tracey Braden.
The Blue Jays jumped out to a 12-4 lead just 2:51 into the game. Wesley hit a 10-5 run to bring the game within three points with three minutes to play in the first, but senior Sadie Theroff drained a three to pull back ahead by six, 20-14. Neither team scored in the next two minutes, but a foul by Wesley with two seconds remaining in the quarter sent Gatson to the line. Gatson made both, ending the first quarter with the Blue Jays leading 22-14.
The Blue Jays managed a 13-point lead after junior Payton Gruber hit a three with 2:31 to play, 39-26. Wesley held the Blue Jays from scoring again while they scored six to send the game into halftime with the score of 39-32, Westminster.
The second half started slowly with just two points scored by junior Krista Armontrout in the first 3:20 of the quarter. Both teams finally warmed up and with 3:21 to play in the third, junior Andrea Zalis hit a jump shot to take a 52-37 lead. A minute later, Zalis made two free throws to take a 54-37 lead, but Wesley put in a layup to bring the game back within 15 to end the third quarter, 54-39.
The Blue Jays started the final quarter with a 7-2 run to go up 61-43 and two layups from Armontrout brought the Blue Jays up by 20 with 4:14 on the clock, 65-45. Sophomore Payton Beeler sealed the game at 71-51 with two made free throws.
"The ladies did a nice job rebounding against a very athletic, good-rebounding team," added Coach Braden. "We had a key contribution from freshman Kelsey Ray off the bench." Ray posted four boards in the win.
The Blue Jays out-rebounded Wesley, 42-34. The team recorded 30 defensive rebounds with 23 coming from Gatson, Zalis and Armontrout.
The Blue Jays shot 40.3 percent from the field. Gatson's recorded 14 points and pulled down 12 boards while posting three steals and four assists. Armontrout led the floor with 18 points while grabbing nine rebounds. Zalis added 11 points to the win while blocking three shots and grabbing three steals. Haddox assisted five buckets while grabbing three steals and two blocks.
The Blue Jays finish out the St. Pete Classic on Saturday, December 19, with a game versus Neumann at 8:00 pm EST.
