Fulton, Mo., March 23, 2021 – The Westminster College women's basketball team kept their momentum going on Tuesday night with a 81-48 drubbing of Iowa Wesleyan University in Historic Gym.
The win pushed the Blue Jays record to 8-2 overall and 6-1 in the SLIAC. The Jays remain in a virtual tie with Webster University for the top spot with three games remaining in the regular season.
The Blue Jays were red hot out of the gate. Reigning SLIAC Player of the Week Abbie Reece drained two three pointers to start the game followed by a driving lay up by Reese Arnold and the Blue Jays led 8-0. The score would increase as time went on. An Avylina Powel-Qualo free throw made the score 17-7 and gave the Jays a double figure lead for the first time.
In the second quarter the Blue Jays stayed on the attack. Back to back lay ups by Madison Schaeffer, one off a dime from Shelby Kurtz, gave the Blue Jays a 31-15 lead. Baskets by Makayla Jackson on a put back and Powel-Qualo pushed the lead to 20 with 1:55 to go before half. The Jays would close out the half up 40-17.
The lead would balloon to 30 at 50-20 midway through the third quarter on an Abby Nichols basket. The Blue Jays would not look back cruising to the lopsided victory.
Arnold led a balanced Blue Jay attack with 15 points and Abbie Reece would score 12. 12 Blue Jays would find the scoring column on the night. Abby Nichols led the Jays with 10 rebounds and was one point away from a double-double with nine points. Powel-Qualo had seven rebounds and Schaeffer had six as well as Jackson. The Blue Jays would pound the Tigers on the boards 52-31 on the night.
Kallee Dowler would dish out three assists and the Jays would record 17 assists on their 30 made baskets. The Blue Jays shot 40% from the field, 41.7% from the Three-point line and 50% from the foul line. Meanwhile the stingy Blue Jay defense limited the Tigers to 31.7% from the field, 25% from the three-point line and 33% from the free throw line to limit the visitors to a season low 48 points given up by the Jays.
The Blue Jays lead the SLIAC with a 6-1 record with three games remaining. Webster University is 5-1 in second place.
The Blue Jays will be back in action on the road as they travel to Eureka College. The tip off for the game is set for 5:30 p.m.
