12/22/24 Fulton, MO – The Westminster College women's basketball team fell short against Wheaton College, 65-61, on Saturday afternoon. Despite a strong start, the Blue Jays were unable to hold off the Thunder's late-game surge, dropping their record to 5-5 as they head into the holiday break.
Westminster opened the game with a dominant first quarter, outscoring Wheaton 20-10 behind aggressive defense and efficient scoring. Wheaton narrowed the gap in the second quarter, cutting Westminster's led to 29-22 at halftime. The Thunder then capitalized on turnovers and second-chance opportunities in the third quarter, outscoring the Blue Jays 21-15. A tightly contested fourth quarter saw both teams trading baskets, but Wheaton pulled ahead in the final minutes to seal the win.
Annette Ramirez led the Blue Jays with 18 points, including four three-pointers, while adding five rebounds and a steal in her 39 minutes of play. Avylina Powell-Qualo contributed 11 points, hitting six of her eight free-throw attempts, while adding three rebounds. Aly Bullock and Caragan Lockard both added 10 points apiece, with Bullock grabbing five rebounds and Lockard pulling down six. Gizelle Carreto provided energy as well, recording seven rebounds and two assists.
The Blue Jays will return to action on December 29, traveling to Kansas City for a non-conference matchup. As Westminster regroups, they'll aim to minimize turnovers and build on the strong performances of the starting lineup.
