Westminster men's basketball is one step closer to a St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) Tournament berth with Wednesday night's 64-60 win over MacMurray College. The Westminster Blue Jays now sit in third place with a 10-7 conference record, just two games behind first place. Overall, they hold a 10-14 record.
The Blue Jays won the tip and sophomore Nick Carlos scored a three-pointer on the opening play of the game. With baskets by sophomore Tanner Cochran, freshman Carter Wands and Carlos, the Blue Jays pulled a 9-3 lead 3:39 into the game. With 10 minutes on the clock, sophomore Jimmy Villalobos put in a layup, followed by a three-pointer by Carlos to take a 19-11 lead, and the Blue Jays took their lead into double digits when Cochran hit a three with 4:14 on the clock. MacMurray scored a 6-0 run to cut the lead to five points, 27-22. Freshman Collin Caywood scored the final points of the first half off a layup to send the Blue Jays into halftime holding a 31-24 lead over MacMurray.
A 7-2 start for MacMurray brought the game within two points just three minutes into the second half, 33-31. The Blue Jays lost the lead five minutes into the game after a 6-0 MacMurray run. Cochran made a traditional three-point play to take back the lead, but MacMurray quickly drained a three to pull it back. The game knotted up twice and the lead changed four more times before the Blue Jays managed an 11-0 run to take a 55-46 lead. MacMurray scored an 8-0 run to bring the game within one and with 1:34 left in the game MacMurray took the lead again.
Sophomore Romo Tabb and Wands each hit a jump shot, giving the Blue Jays a three-point cushion with 22 seconds to play, but with 10 seconds on the clock MacMurray hit a jumper to bring them within one, 61-60. With 0:08 on the board, MacMurray fouled Cochran to stop the clock, sending him to the line. He made both, taking a three-point lead, 63-60. The Blue Jays fouled then, sending MacMurray to the line in double bonus. They missed both free throws, and Villalobos was fouled on the rebound. With 4 seconds left, Villalobos went 1-for-2 from the line to secure a four-point lead, 64-60. MacMurray attempted a three at the buzzer but missed, ending the game with a 64-60 Blue Jay win.
The Blue Jays shot 43.6 percent from the field and 78.6 percent from the foul line. Cochran led the Blue Jays 15 points, and Villalobos added 13 to the win. Tabb led the team with nine rebounds and five blocks.
The Blue Jays close out the regular season with a home game versus Principia College on Saturday, February 20. They will honor the four seniors prior to their 3:00 pm tip-off.
