Louisville, KY 1/21/2023- The Westminster College women's basketball team traveled to Louisville, Kentucky to take on the Spalding University Golden Eagles. Spalding went on a 7-0 run in the final two minutes to make it 66-63 and shot a three to tie with 13 seconds remaining. The Blue Jays would grab the rebound, get fouled, and shoot free throws. They would make one free throw to make it a four-point game. The Golden Eagles got another look from three but it would not fall. Westminster walks away victorious, 67-63. The Blue Jays have now won two games in a row and improved to 4-2 in the SLIAC and 10-7 overall. The Golden Eagles fall to 1-5 in the SLIAC and 4-13 overall on the season.
Westminster looked to run away with it early going up 26-8 after the first quarter. Spalding would crawl back into it cutting the lead to 13 points and headed to the locker rooms at halftime with the score 40-27.
The two teams would trade multiple baskets to start the second half with the Blue Jays keeping their lead over ten points. Spalding would score seven unanswered points in the early portions of the fourth quarter to make it 62-56 with 5:30 left in the game. The Blue Jays responded and got their lead back up to ten points. The Blue Jays would hit a dry spell on offense not scoring in the final four minutes from the field. This opened the door for the Golden Eagles to go on a 7-0 run and cut the Blue Jays' lead to just three points. Spalding tied with 13 seconds left in the game but it would hit off the rim and the Blue Jays would grab the rebound. The Golden Eagles would foul to extend the game and send Annette Ramirez (Sarcoxie, MO / Sarcoxie) to the free throw to shoot two. She would make one and put the game away. The Blue Jays win it 67-63.
Ramirez led the Blue Jays' offense with 19 points and 8 rebounds. She would go 7-10 from the free throw line. Natalie Archambault (Eureka, MO) had 12 points and went 6 for 9 from the field. Shelby Kurtz (Camdenton, MO/ Camdenton) was the third Blue Jay to score in double figures with 11 points in the game.
The Blue Jays will be back in action on Wednesday, January 25th when they travel to St. Louis to take on Fontbonne University. That game will tip off at 5:30 PM.
