Despite 20 points from sophomore guard Elizabeth Evancoe, #10 Westmont women’s basketball (13-2, 5-2 GSAC) fell 75-61 to #21 Point Loma Nazarene (12-4, 6-2 GSAC) on Saturday night at Murchison Gymnasium in a Golden State Athletic Conference game. Evancoe scored 18 of her 20 points in the first half on the strength of four-of-five shooting from beyond the arc.
“Elizabeth was on fire and it was fun to see her step up and play great,” said Westmont head coach Kirsten Moore. “Her play energized us into half time, but we really didn’t have that spark in the second half from anybody.”
Westmont came into the game allowing the fewest points per game of any team in the GSAC (51.1) but could not contain Point Loma’s fast-paced offense. Colleen Planeta, who leads the NAIA in scoring (23.0 points per game), produced 21 points for the Sea Lions and pulled down 10 rebounds.
“Point Loma is a very good basketball team that played very well tonight,” said Moore. “They out played us tonight. The frustrating thing from our end is that we didn’t do the things that we have been doing well. We didn’t defend. We didn’t make the toughness plays we have been making.”
Westmont held a one-point lead at the half (40-39) but was held to just six points in the first 10 minutes of the second half. Point Loma enjoyed a 23-6 run over the stretch.
“They hurt us inside, especially on the boards in the second half,” said Moore. “They made that run and we struggled to get any momentum back after they took the lead. There have been games when we have not played well offensively. The thing we have been able to do is to rely on our defense. That’s where we let ourselves down tonight.”
Jessica Case also scored in double-figures for the Warriors posting 15 points and four rebounds. Alisha Heglund turned in an additional 10 points and five boards.
“This team has a lot of heart,” said Moore. “They played hard to the end even those things weren’t clicking. This is a team that is going to bounce back. After our only other loss this year, we became a better basketball team. Our goal is to become a better basketball team after tonight’s game.”
