2/16/25 Fulton, MO – The Westminster women's basketball team battled back from an early deficit to earn a hard-fought 65-58 road victory over Spalding on Saturday. After a sluggish start in the first quarter, the Blue Jays found their rhythm in the second, outscoring the Golden Eagles 24-17 to take the halftime lead.
Annette Ramirez led Westminster's offensive attack, finishing with a game-high 19 points, including two three-pointers and five made free throws. Gizelle Carreto provided a major spark, knocking down 3-of-4 from beyond the arc and in total finished with 13 points. Olivia Hixson added eight points while also dishing out three assists and grabbing five rebounds.
Despite trailing 16-9 after the first quarter, Westminster turned up the intensity in the second, using defensive pressure to force Spalding into difficult shots. Their improved ball movement and outside shooting allowed them to take a 33-32 lead into halftime. The Blue Jays kept the momentum going in the third, holding Spalding to just nine points in the period.
Westminster's defense was key down the stretch, as they limited the Golden Eagles' scoring opportunities and made clutch free throws to maintain their lead. Caragan Lockard was a steady presence inside, finishing with seven points, five rebounds, and two steals. Aly Bullock and Lauren Jones each contributed five points, with Jones also adding three steals to disrupt Spalding's offense.
The win marks another step forward for Westminster as they continue conference play. The Blue Jays will now return home for their next matchup, hosting Principia on February 18th at 5:30 p.m. as they look to keep their momentum rolling.