The Westminster men's basketball team fell short to MacMurray College on Saturday afternoon, 87-79. The loss brings the Westminster Blue Jays to 5-3 in conference play and 5-8 on the season.
The Blue Jays started the game with a steal and fast break layup by freshman Carter Wands to take a 2-0 lead. The MacMurray Highlanders answered back with two consecutive jumpers to take the 4-2 lead, but a three-pointer by junior Tanner Gentges knotted the game at 5-5 six minutes in. The Highlanders pulled back a six-point lead, but a basket and fast break layup by Gentges brought the Blue Jays back within two points, 14-12. A three-pointer by sophomore Nick Carlos gave the Blue Jays their second lead of the game, 17-16, but the Highlanders answered with a 7-0 run. The Highlanders went up by 10 with 7:10 left in the half and maxed out with a 17-point lead heading into halftime, 49-32.
The Blue Jays knocked their deficit down to six points after a 16-5 run to start the second half. They were within four points after sophomore Romo Tabb's steal and second dunk of the half, but the Highlanders were able to pull back a nine-point lead with 12:25 on the clock. An 8-0 Blue Jay run brought the Blue Jays within two, 63-61. The Highlanders extended their lead and the Blue Jays were unable to get within two points again until Tabb completed a traditional three-point play. A three by Tabb brought the Blue Jays within one just one minute later, but the Highlanders hit a short jumper to take back a three-point lead. Gentges went 2-for-2 from the line during a one-and-one, bringing the Blue Jays back within one point with 3:02 on the clock, 80-79. The Highlanders scored five points in the next minute while the Blue Jays struggled to find the net. The Highlanders added two in the final seconds to take the 87-79 win.
Gentges led most of the stats line as he shot 8-for-14 from the field with five three-pointers to total 23 points. He also led the floor with five assists and three steals. Tabb pulled down eight boards and added 16 points while shooting 70 percent from the field. Carlos shot 4-for-6 from the three-point line to tally 18 points.
The Blue Jays host non-conference Nebraska Wesleyan on Monday, January 18, at 3:00 p.m.
