DECATUR, Ill. - Elmhurst hands Westminster women's basketball its third loss of the season by a margin of 68-45. 

"This was another opportunity for us to compete against a very good team and test ourselves," said Westminster Head Coach Tracey Braden. 

Westminster led for most of the first quarter, started out by a three-pointer from Bailey Mitchell. A three-pointer from Payton Beeler and freethrows from Beeler and Mirrakohl Johnson gave the Blue Jays an early 8-3 lead. 

A quick run by Elmhurst, also the Blue Jays, gave them a narrow 17-16 lead after one quarter. 

Kelsey Ray put Westminster back on top to start the second quarter with a made jump shot. Johnson hit a layup to tie the game at 20 with under seven minutes remaining in the half, but Elmhurst made a bucket to take the lead and never looked back. 

Westminster went into the half down just nine, a 34-25 deficit. 

Three points from freshman Brooke Stauffer opened up the second half and pulled Westminster back within eight, but it wasn't enough to stop Elmhurst. 

An 11-0 run from Elmhurst broke open the lead in the remaining minutes of the third quarter, ending with a score of 50-31. 

Westminster scored 14 points in the fourth quarter to get back into the game, but eventually fell short. 

"We struggled to find the basket at times but overall, I'm really pleased with this team's focus to compete," said Braden. "We moved the ball much better today and attacked the rim. It's one game at a time."

Ray led the team with nine points and five assists while Andrea Zalis brought down nine rebounds and tallied eight points. 

Westminster opens their home schedule on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 5:30 p.m. against William Woods.