The Westminster women's basketball team pulled out a 108-107 double overtime win over Elmhurst College on the second day of the Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, November 21. The Westminster Blue Jays are now 2-1 on the season after finishing the tournament 2-0.

After the exilerating win, Coach Braden exclaimed, "Wow! Where do I begin. That was one of the most incredible games I've ever been a part of... maybe the most incredible!"

Elmhurst started the game with a 4-0 lead, but the Blue Jays went on a 7-0 run to take the 9-6 lead. Elmhurst took back the lead, and despite two lead changes, Elmhurst held a 19-18 advantage at the end of the first quarter. They outscored the Blue Jays 25-13 in the second quarter to possess a 44-31 lead heading into halftime. 

The Blue Jays came out in the second half with a 8-0 run to bring the game within five, 44-39, but Elmhurst pulled back their lead and led by 13 at the end of three, 69-56.

Senior Sadie Theroff drained a three to start the fourth quarter and bring the game within 10, but Elmhurst put up two three's to pull out a 16-point lead. Theroff drained another three to start a 15-0 run to take the 84-83 lead with 2:51 remaining in the game. Elmhurst hit a shot to take back the lead, but a three by junior Andrea Zalis gave the Blue Jays a two point advantage with 1:05 to play, 87-85. With 42 seconds on the clock, Elmhurst knotted up the game, 87-87. The Blue Jays missed their final shot attempt to win the game, sending it into overtime.

The Blue Jays jumped out to a 93-87 lead within the first three minutes with points coming from senior Mackenzie Haddox, senior Kasey Gatson and Zalis. Elmhurst brought the game within two, 93-91, but a jumper by Zalis and two free throws from Gatson gave the Blue Jays a six-point lead with 10 seconds to go, 97-91. Elmhurst made two quick shots to get within two, but a foul by Elmhurst set Haddox to the line with 00:07 on the clock. Haddox went 1-2 from the line, putting the Blue Jays up by three, but Elmhurst came down and hit a three to tie the game and send it into another overtime. 

The lead changed six times in the first four minutes of the second overtime, but four made free throws by Elmhurst put them up 107-104 with :44 to go. Haddox was sent to the line after being fouled. She drained both, bringing the score to 107-106, Elmhurst. Zalis was fouled on the defensive rebound, sending her to the line with 12 seconds left in the game. She made both, giving the Blue Jays the 108-107 lead. Elmhurst missed their final two shots for the Blue Jays to win the game.

"The team showed resiliency, commitment to each other and a dogged desire to win," Coach Braden commented. "They just wouldn't quit!"

The Blue Jays shot 51.4% from the field and 43.5% from the three-point line. Zalis, Haddox, junior Krista Armontrout and Gatson scored 92 of the team's 108 points. Zalis led the way with 30 points, going 10-17 from the field and hit five three-pointers. Haddox went 12-16 from the free throw line to aid in her 24-point game. Armontrout scored 20 with her 8-13 performance from the field and Gatson recorded 18 points. 

Armontrout pulled down eight boards while Zalis and Haddox each recorded six. Zalis also assisted seven shots with three steals and three blocks. 

The Blue Jays begin conference play on Wednesday, December 2, at 6:00 pm EST versus Spalding University.