Elsah, IL 1/10/2023- The Westminster College women's basketball team hit the road for the first since the start of conference play to take on the Principia College Panthers. The Blue Jays would have their seven-game winning streak broken as they would lose to the Panthers, 73-61. Westminster falls to 8-6 on the season and 2-1 in the SLIAC. Principia improves to 7-4 and 2-1 in the SLIAC.
The Panthers lead from the opening tip to the final buzzer with six ties in between. Principia started the game by getting a 7-2 lead. They would extend that lead to 16-6 and the Blue Jays made a run at the end of the first quarter to cut it to 18-13.
Annette Ramirez (Sarcoxie, MO / Sarcoxie) hit a three to start the second quarter and cut the Panthers' lead to two points. Natalie Archambault (Eureka, MO / -) would get fouled and hit a pair of free throws to tie the game, 18-18. The Panthers would go on a 6-0 run to get the lead back in their control. Ramirez would another three, then a pair of free throws. Archambault would also go to the line and make one free throw to tie the game 24-24. The teams would trade baskets at the end of the half with the Panthers taking a 30-28 lead as they headed into the locker room.
Principia started the second half going on a 12-3 run and once again taking a commanding 42-31 lead. They would get the lead up to 15 points with 2:15 left in the third quarter. The third quarter would end with the Panthers leading 54-41.
The Blue Jays would put on a full-court press to start the fourth and attempt to come back. They would have some success forcing a couple of turnovers and cutting the lead to 8 points with 6:14 left to play, forcing a timeout by the Panthers. After the timeout, the Principia would score a bucket to get their lead back up to 10 points. The teams would trade baskets and time running out. The Panther would go on to win the game 73-61.
Ramirez led the Blue Jays with 22 points along with 6 rebounds. Archambault had 13 points and 6 rebounds. Trishelle Porter (California, MO / California) had 8 points off the bench.
The Blue Jays will be back in action on Saturday, January 14th when they take on Webster University. That game will tip off at 1:00 PM.
