Eureka, MO 2/4/2023- The Westminster College women's basketball team hit the road on Saturday to take on the Eureka College Red Devils. The Blue Jays looked to sweep in the Red Devils after beating them at home in a nail-biter. The rematch Saturday was a close one as well but Westminster was able to hang on to win the game 68-61 for their third straight victory. The Blue Jays improve to 13-8 overall and 7-3 in the SLIAC. They have sole possession of the three seed with four conference games to go. Eureka falls to 6-15 on the season and 3-7 in the SLIAC. They are currently the sixth seed.
The game was close throughout but only had four ties and two lead changes. Westminster would start the game with a 13-10 lead halfway through the first quarter. The Red Devils would tie 13-13 and take the lead to end the quarter up 22-18.
Shelby Kurtz (Camdenton, MO/ Camdenton) started the second quarter by getting fouled on a three-point attempt. She would make all three free throws to make it 22-21. Eureka would score their next two possessions to go up six. Caragan Lockard (Eolia, MO / Clopton) drilled a three to tie 28-28 with 5:23 left in the half. The Red Devils then went on a 7-0 run to go up 35-28 and went into the half leading 35-31.
Both teams would be cold to start the second half with both unable to score on their opening possession. Eureka would score a layup on their second possession to go up 37-31. The Blue Jays would score 10 unanswered points to regain the lead and go up 41-37. The third quarter would end with Westminster leading 49-45.
The Blue Jays would grow their lead to as many as twelve points at one point in the fourth quarter. Eureka went on a run in the final minutes to cut the Westminster lead to five but would not get any closer. The Blue Jays hold on to win the game 68-61.
Annette Ramirez (Sarcoxie, MO / Sarcoxie) and Kurtz led the way offensively scoring 18 points each. Ramirez would have a double-double grabbing 10 rebounds as well. Kurtz would have 9 rebounds in the game. Lockard would score 10 points coming in off the bench.
Westminster will be on the road again when they travel to Greenville, Illinois to take on Greenville University on Wednesday, January 8th. That game will tip at 5:30 PM.
