Greenville, IL 11/18/2023- The Westminster College women's basketball team spent the weekend in Greenville, Illinois, competing in a tournament hosted by Greenville University. The Blue Jays took on the Lady Blues of Illinois College on Friday night. Illinois College would win 77-73. On Saturday, the Jays would face off against the Scots of Monmouth College. The Blue Jays would win 72-53. Westminster is back to .500 on the year at 2-2.
Game One: vs Illinois College
The Blue Jays would get off to a slow start in the game vs Illinois College, going 4-11 in the first quarter and giving up 19 first quarter points to the lady Blues. The two teams would play even the next two quarters, scoring 16 points each in the second quarter and 23 a piece in the third quarter. Westminster would enter the fourth quarter down 7 points at 58-51.
Annette Ramirez would get fouled on a three-point attempt early in the fourth quarter. She would make all three free throws to make it 62-57. The Blue Jays took advantage of an Illinois College turnover, with Tristian Porter scoring a three pointer to bring the score to 62-60 with 7:22 remaining in the game. Ramirez would tie the game 62-62 after scoring a layup. The Lady Blue Jays would go on a run and get their lead back up to 7 with 2:10 left in the game. The Blue Jays would cut it back down to 2 points with eight seconds on the clock. They would foul and put Illinois College on the free throw line. They would make both free throws and win the game 77-73.
Annette Ramirez led the Blue Jays offense with 26 points, 8 rebounds and 4 steals. Oliva Hixson and Tristan Porter would both have 10 points and combined made 5 of the Blue Jays 8 three pointers.
Game Two: Vs Monmouth College
The Blue Jays would be back in action on Saturday when they took on the Monmouth College Scots. The Scots would come out and take an 18-11 lead in the first quarter. The Blue Jays responded with a 16-9 second quarter and tied the game 27-27 at halftime. Westminster would explode for 29 points in the third quarter and took a commanding 56-45 lead heading into the fourth quarter. The Blue Jays would tack on 16 more points in the fourth quarter and won the game 72-53.
Annette Ramirez had 17 points, 7 rebounds and 4 steals. Oliva Hixson scored 10 points. Senior forward Avylina Powell-Qualo would have 8 points and a team high 10 rebounds.
The Blue Jays will have their conference home opener against Webster University on November 21st during Thanksgiving break. Tip-off will take place at 12:00 pm inside the Historic Gym.
