St. Louis, Mo., March 19, 2021 – The Westminster College women's basketball team traveled to St. Louis on Friday evening searching for a season sweep over the Fontbonne University Griffins. The Blue Jays found what they were looking for when they roared out of the tip to grab a early lead that they would never give back on the way to an 89-57 throttling of the Griffins.
The game got off to a great start for the Blue Jays as back to back three pointers by Abbie Reece gave the Jays a 14-8 lead. The lead would grow to double figures a few minutes later when a Chloe Akerson three would give the Jays a 20-8 lead with 5:30 left in the first quarter. Fontbonne would cut Westminster's lead down to 23-16 before the Blue Jays would score the last eight points of the quarter to take a 31-16 lead after one. The last four coming off of two Reese Arnold free throws and a jumper to cap the first quarter scoring.
The second quarter started exactly where the first left off. Another Abbie Reece three followed by six straight points from Shelby Kurtz to give the Blue Jays a 22-point lead at 40-18 with 7:38 left to play in the half. A pair of Abby Nichols buckets and a basket by Makayla Jackson would continue to stretch the lead that would grow to 29 points with a 50-21 lead at halftime.
The Blue Jay lead grew to as many as 35 in the waning moments of the third quarter at 70-35. The Blue Jays were on their way to a lopsided victory. They would cruise to the 89-57 win.
The Blue Jays were led by Abbie Reece who scored 21 points on the night. She was followed by Avylina Powel-Qualo and Nichols with 14 points each. Makayla Jackson was the other Blue Jay with double figures finishing with 10. Nichols led the Jays in rebounding with eight. Powel-Qualo and Madison Schaeffer contributed seven rebounds each. Powel-Qualo also dished out a team high six assists. The Blue Jays crushed the Griffins on the boards 51-22.
The Blue Jays shot a scorching 51.5% from the field knocking down nine three pointers in 23 attempts good for 39.1%. The Jays also shot 75% from the free throw line on the way to the victory.
The Blue Jays will be back at home on Tuesday night in Historic Gym. The game with Iowa Wesleyan University is set for a 5:30 p.m. tip off.
