Fulton, Mo. – The Westminster College Blue Jays got off to a slow start on Friday night in Historic Gym. It didn't last as the Blue Jays used a crushing 24-0 run in the second quarter to jump start a blowout win 81-53 over the Blackburn College Beavers.
The first quarter started on a 6-0 run by the Beavers. A Reese Arnold three off a Kallee Dowler Assist and a Dowler lay up off an offensive rebound and the Blue Jays would cut the lead to just one point. Blackburn would do just enough maintain a lead throughout the first quarter leading 14-12 at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter would see the game turn Westminster's way in a hurry. The Beavers led 19-16 with 8:40 left in the first half. A Dowler three would tie the game at 19 and be the start of the 24 point run that would span the next five minutes for the Blue Jays. A Shelby Kurtz pull up jumper would then give the Blue Jays their first lead at 21-19. The Jays would never let the Beavers closer the rest of the game as the lead began to grow and grow. Corrie Reece then hit a jumper, followed by Abby Nichols two free throws, a layup by Makayla Jackson off an offensive rebound. Amorette Rodriguez then knocked down a three to give the Blue Jays their first double figure lead at 30-19. They weren't done, Abbie Reece would make a jumper and a three to go up 35-19. Jackson would then make a lay-up followed by an Arnold three to go up 40-19 a 24-0 run over five minutes and the rout was on. The Blue Jays would lead 51-25 at the half on the strength of a 39-11 second quarter. They would never look back.
The half saw the lead grow to 39 points at 81-42 on Chloe Akerson three pointer off an Alexa Jurgensmeyer assist. The Blue Jays would cruise to the end winning 81-53. The win improves the Blue Jays to 6-2 overall and 4-1 in the SLIAC.
The Jays were led in scoring by Arnold with 14 points, followed by Dowler with 10 and Avylina Powel-Qualo with 10. Amorette Rodriguez would chip in a season high 8 points. Powel-Qualo led the team with seven rebounds followed by Kurtz with six rebounds. Kurtz led the team with three assists.
The Blue Jays outshot the Beavers 42% to 26% from the field, 35% to 27% from three-point range. The Blue Jays also held a commanding lead on the boards at 52-28.
The Blue Jays will get a week to prepare for their next game. They return to action next Friday as they play Fontbonne University in St. Louis. The tip time is set for 5:30 p.m.
