Junior forward Angel Blanco recorded 22 points and pulled down eight rebounds as No. 14 Westmont Women’s Basketball defeated Trinity International (Ill.) by a score of 76-59 on Wednesday afternoon. Senior post player Alisha Heglund scored 16 points for the Warriors and eclipsed the 1,000-point mark in her career (1,007). Playing in the GSAC Challenge at California Baptist, Westmont improved to 9-1 on the year.
After falling behind 3-0 to start the game, the Warriors scored the next five points on two free throws by Heglund and a three-pointer by Katie Kittle (11 points, 3 rebounds). The Trojans’ Chamissa Anderson tied the game at five all with two free throws before Blanco scored on a layup to give Westmont its second lead of the night.
A field goal by Melanie Duplessis tied the game at seven before a Jessica Case jumper gave Westmont a 9-7 lead. The Warriors did not surrender the lead the rest of the afternoon. By halftime, Westmont held a 15 points advantage (41-26). In the second half, the Warriors extended the lead to as much as 26 points (63-37).
Senior point guard Amber Stevens recorded seven points for the Warriors and tallied seven assists, five rebounds and three steals. Senior guard Jessica Case posted seven points, five assists and three rebounds. Freshman guard Larissa Hensley notched seven points and three rebounds.
As a team, Westmont shot 48.3% from the floor (15 of 33). Trinity International held a 38-35 rebound advantage but committed 29 turnovers.
Heglund, scored her one thousandth point in her one hundredth game for a per game average of 10.1. She has recorded a field goal percentage of .471 (404 of 858). Heglund is also the Warriors’ career block leader with 47, two of which came in today’s game.
Having concluded their non-conference schedule with a record of 7-1 against non-league opponents, the Warriors will focus their attention on the remaining 18 games of the Golden State Athletic Conference. Westmont, currently 2-0 in the GSAC standings, will travel to El Cajon on Saturday to match up with San Diego Christian (3-8, 0-2 GSAC). Game time is 5:30 p.m.
