Fresno Pacific led from tip off to buzzer on Tuesday night as #14 Westmont Women’s Basketball (21-5, 13-5 GSAC) suffered a 62-55 Golden State Athletic Conference loss to the Sunbirds (13-12, 9-9 GSAC) in Fresno.
Fresno Pacific jumped out to an 8-2 lead early in the game and the Warriors never caught up. The closest Westmont came was with 2:08 remaining in regulation when senior Annie Johnson made two free throws to make the score 55-54.
But the Warriors missed three of four free throw attempts in the final two minutes and did not take another shot from the floor until only 10 seconds remained on the clock. During the same time period, Fresno Pacific made a three-pointer and all four of their free throw attempts.
Jessica Mazza led Fresno Pacific in scoring with 15 points while Jessica Torrecillas and Bricali Cooley each scored 12. Torrecillas added seven rebounds and Cooley five.
Amber Stevens recorded 16 points and nine rebounds for the Warriors while shooting 60% from the field. Jessica Case and Elizabeth Evancoe each added another nine points.
In other Golden State Athletic Conference action, #2 Vanguard (24-3, 17-1) held off visiting Concordia (by a 67-62 margin. #6 Point Loma Nazarene (23-4, 17-2) also won at home, defeating California Baptist (17-11, 9-9) 69-61. #19 Azusa Pacific (19-9, 10-8) picked up an 80-51 win over Hope International (1-25, 0-18) but #18 Biola (17-10, 9-9) lost at home to The Master’s (14-13, 9-9) by a score of 65-50.
With two games to go in the conference schedule, Vanguard remains one-half game ahead of Point Loma Nazarene in the GSAC standings. Vanguard will play at Westmont on Saturday night before closing out the season at California Baptist on Monday. Point Loma has only one game remaining which it will play at the Master’s on Saturday.
Westmont will finish third in the conference standings, regardless of the outcomes of its final two games with Vanguard and at Azusa Pacific on Monday. Azusa Pacific is currently in fourth place, one game ahead of four teams which are tied for fifth place – Biola, California Baptist, Fresno Pacific and The Master’s. Azusa Pacific and all four of the tied teams have clinched a place in next week’s GSAC Tournament. However, which of the five teams will get a home berth, and where the other four will play, will be decided by the outcomes of their remaining two games.
Concordia, San Diego Christian and Hope International have been eliminated from the GSAC Tournament.
Before Saturday’s game against Vanguard, Westmont will honor three seniors for their contributions to the Women’s Basketball program – Annie Johnson, Lindsey Chessum and Ali Mooty. Fans are encouraged to arrive by 5:15 to add their show of appreciation.
