Fourteenth-ranked Westmont women’s basketball used a balance attack and stingy first-half defense to post a 70-58 win over California Baptist in Riverside on Tuesday night. The win was the first for the Warriors in California Baptist’s Van Dyne Gymnasium since January 26, 2001.
All 11 Warriors who entered the game scored at least two points and tallied at least one rebound. Junior post player Alisha Heglund led the charge with 13 points, five rebounds and four blocks. Heglund now has 38 career blocks, just six short of the school record held by Michalle Wolski Pombrio.
The Warriors (19-3, 11-3 GSAC) allowed only 16 points in the first half, holding the Lancers to just 16.8% shooting (5 of 30).
“We played great defense in the first half against a very dangerous offensive team,” said Westmont head coach Kirsten Moore. “We were able to contain their scorers and disrupt their offense with our pressure defense.”
Junior shooting guard Jessica Case (11 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals) sank two three-pointers in the first three minutes to help the Warriors jump out to a 12-2 lead. At the midpoint of the half, Katie Kittle (7 points, 3 rebounds) scored on a layup to extend the Warrior lead to 16 points (25-9). By halftime, Westmont had acquired a 34-16 advantage.
“The second half got a little hectic, but the team stuck together and pulled it out,” noted Moore.
Westmont was called for 15 fouls in the second half, seven of which were in the first five and one-half minutes to put the Lancers in the bonus with 14:33 remaining in regulation. California Baptist was also called for 15 second-half fouls, but did not commit their seventh until 6:15 remained on the clock.
Neither team took advantage of the 49 total free throws. Both teams shot just 57.1% from the free throw line with Westmont going 12 for 21 and California Baptist making 16 of 28.
California Baptist heated up in the second half scoring 42 points – half of which were by Nicole Davis. The All-American scored just two points in the first half. Despite the increase in production by California Baptist, the Warriors did not allow the Lancers to get any closer than the final margin of 12 points.
Junior point guard Amber Stevens tallied 12 points, nine assists and seven rebounds for the Warriors.
“Amber had her usual all-around effort,” said Moore. “She did a good job pushing the ball up the court in transition. A lot of those balls went to Alisha who did a good job putting them in the basket.”
The Warriors will be back in action on Saturday, February 14, as they host the Mustangs of The Master’s College at 5:30 p.m.
