FULTON, Mo. - Westminster men's basketball celebrated its five seniors, eventually falling in heartbreaking fashion to Principia.
The Blue Jays fall to 10-13 overall and 9-7 in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, still sitting in fourth place.
Prior to the tip, Westminster honored Collin Caywood, Carter Wands, Stu Hollandsworth, Casey McCollum, and Romo Tabb.
"I'm proud of the legacy these seniors are leaving behind," said Westminster Head Coach Matt Mitchell. "This is a great group who has worked hard for all they've earned in their time as a Blue Jay. They will truly be missed."
Both teams slowed the pace of play down to start the game, with Principia winning the opening four minutes 11-8, with four points each from Hollandsworth and Tabb.
Back-to-back three-pointers from the Panthers gave Principia the largest lead of the game at 17-10, but Westminster scored in two straight possessions on baskets from Hollandsworth and Kobe Wands to shrink the Panther lead with 15 minutes left in the half.
Tabb gave the Blue Jays back the lead with a completed three-point play to go back up 19-18 at the 12:01 mark of the first half, but the next six minutes would feature five lead changes. A small Panther 6-0 run gave Principia the 29-24 lead with just over five minutes. Westminster answered with a 7-0 run of their own to take back the lead at the 2:38 mark, 31-29, on a Tabb jumper, but Principia hit a three-pointer on the next possession to go back on top, finishing the half 34-33 with the Panthers ahead.
Principia opened the half with with five straight points to take a 39-33 lead, but Hollandsworth added two consecutive buckets to bring the Blue Jays back within two. The Panthers continued to score to try to pull away but Tabb and Hollandsworth combined for 13 points to keep the Blue Jays within one possession of the lead with just over 12 minutes to play. At the 11:05 mark, Hollandsworth hit a layup to give Westminster the 52-51 lead, which sparked five more points from Tabb in the following possessions to extend the lead to 57-51.
Westminster continued to hold the small lead but the Panthers remained within a few possessions over the next nine minutes, coming back within one point with two minutes to play, 70-69. At the 1:24 mark, Principia tied the game up at 72 points apiece. Tabb hit a three-pointer under a minute to take the 75-72 lead, which Principia answered with a layup to stay within one point.
After a missed shot from Westminster, Principia hit a layup to take the one-point lead with 4.5 seconds left, and the Blue Jays were unable to convert in the final seconds to take the lead or force overtime.
Tabb led all scorers with 28 points and 11 rebounds, followed by 25 points from Hollandsworth.
The Blue Jays travel to Greenville Wednesday to continue conference play and fight for a spot in the SLIAC Tournament.
