The Westminster women's basketball team continues their success on the floor, winning their 12th consecutive game on Saturday with a 73-60 victory over Webster University. The Blue Jays are now 18-4 on the season and 14-2 in conference play. They clinched the top spot in the conference and will host the 2016 SLIAC Tournament, but there is still room for a first place tie. 

"We had great energy at the start of the game," stated Head Coach Tracey Braden. "I felt like we were more loose offensively. Our defensive effort in the first half was incredible!" The Blue Jays recorded 14 defensive boards in the first half.

The Blue Jays jumped out to a 7-0 start, and a three-pointer by senior Kasey Gatson put the Blue Jays up 12-3 five minutes in. Two three-pointers from Gatson and senior Mackenzie Haddox gave the Blue Jays a 15-point lead, but Webster put away two free throws to end the quarter with the Blue Jays up 22-9. 

Junior Krista Armontrout scored the first six points of the second quarter for the Blue Jays, and a three-pointer by junior Payton Gruber closed out a Blue Jay 9-2 run to take a 20-point lead. Webster brought the game within 15 points with 3:02 left in the first half and a jump shot by Webster sent the game into halftime with the Blue Jays leading 39-23.

"Webster is always a rough team to play, but I feel like we kept our composure really well," commented Armontrout. "The first half sealed the deal for us with our intensity both offensively and defensively."

Webster came within 14 points in the third quarter, but a 6-0 run put the Blue Jays up by 22. Webster went 2-for-2 from the foul line in the final 13 seconds of the quarter, sending the game into the final 10 minutes with the a 54-34 score.

Webster picked up a 15-6 run to start the fourth quarter, bringing the game within 11 points, 60-49. A three-point play by senior Sadie Theroff put the Blue Jays up by 16 with 4:09 to play, but Webster cut the game to nine over the next two minutes. The Blue Jays held Webster from finding the basket again while Gatson and Haddox each for 2-for-2 from the foul line to clinch the 73-60 win.

"We put ourselves in positions to make plays, get baskets and make defensive stops," stated Haddox. 

Armontrout recorded her fifth double-double of the season with an 18 point and 10 rebound performance. Gatson also recorded 18 points while shooting 62.5 percent from the field and 60 percent from the three-point line. Gatson, Theroff and Haddox each dished in three assists and Theroff and Haddox recorded three steals.

The Blue Jays have two remaining regular season games before the conference tournament. They complete their road season on Wednesday, February 17, at MacMurray College with a 6:00 pm tip-off.