11/17/24 Fulton, MO - The Westminster College Blue Jays women's basketball team returned to action with two exciting games this weekend, narrowly falling to Monmouth College (Ill.) before staging a dramatic comeback to defeat Illinois College.
Game 1: Westminster vs. Monmouth
The Blue Jays opened their weekend against Monmouth College on November 16, battling hard but falling short in a 63-57 loss. Westminster found their rhythm in the second half, outscoring Monmouth 37-32, but a slow start left them playing catch-up against a balanced Monmouth team.
Annette Ramirez led the Blue Jays with 14 points, 5 rebounds, and a steal. Caragan Lockard anchored the post with seven points and a team-high seven rebounds, while Aly Bullock added 10 points, including 6-8 from the free-throw line, 5 steals, and six rebounds. Gizelle Carreto facilitated the offense effectively with four assists and chipped in four points, while Evalena Claxton scored four points on 2-3 shooting in just seven minutes. Despite the loss, the team showed resilience in the second half, which they carried into their next game.
Game 2: Westminster vs. Illinois College
Westminster bounced back in spectacular fashion on November 10, defeating Illinois College 71-65 in a game filled with momentum swings. The Blue Jays dominated the first quarter with a commanding 28-13 lead, but Illinois College clawed back, holding Westminster to just six points in the third quarter. In a high-energy fourth quarter, the Blue Jays erupted for 26 points, reclaiming control, and sealing their first win of the season.
Ramirez once again led the charge with 22 points, hitting two three-pointers and going 6-8 from the free-throw line. Ramirez also added three rebounds and three steals, consistently finding ways to impact the game. Olivia Hixson was a force, recording 15 points, nine rebounds, and five assists while going 7-8 from the free-throw line. Bullock delivered in the game with 10 rebounds and eight points, providing critical inside presence. Lockard and Gizelle Carreto chipped in eight and five points, respectively, while Lauren Jones contributed seven points and a key defensive effort. The win highlighted the Blue Jays' balanced scoring and their ability to close out tight games under pressure, a positive sign as they look ahead to the rest of the season.
Westminster will aim to build on this momentum as they prepare for their next matchup, being their home opener on Tuesday against Barclay. The Blue Jays have shown early-season promise with strong individual performances and a collective determination to improve each game.
