The magic wore off in overtime for the Westmont women’s basketball team on Tuesday night, as a valiant surge to end to the second half couldn’t save the No. 20 Warriors from an 88-76 loss to rival Biola at Murchison Gym.
Post player Alisha Heglund, who had a huge game with 25 points, buried a 3-pointer with one second left in regulation that capped a 15-5 run over the final four minutes.
But the overtime period was all Biola, tilting in the Eagles’ favor 14-2.
“You know every time we play Biola it’s gonna be something crazy,” said coach Kirsten Moore. “Last year we were down six with a minute left and came back and won. This time we’re down 10 and come all the way back on a three at the buzzer, but we gave up too many offensive rebounds in overtime.”
The Eagles won the battle of the boards by a hefty 53-26 margin, including 22 offensive rebounds to Westmont’s eight. The Eagles had 12 rebounds in the 5-minute overtime, with seven on the offensive end.
Biola also had five players in double-figures, led by Jessilyn Conicelli’s 22 points and 12 rebounds.
“We finally decided to play some defense in the last two minutes (of regulation), but in overtime the just got o-board after o-board after o-board,” said Heglund.
The senior had her way in the first half, which ended in a 39-39 tie. She had 15 points at the break, going 5-for-7 from the floor and 5-for-6 from the charity stripe. Her big trey initially went up on the scoreboard as a deuce, leaving the score at 74-73 in favor of Biola (8-6, 4-2 GSAC), but the crowd let out a big cheer when the tying point was finally added.
“The shot felt good, and then I got excited when it looked like it was going to go in. When it actually went in, I couldn’t believe it. That’s usually Jessica Case’s shot or Katie Kittle or Elizabeth (Evancoe),” she said.
Moore said that Heglund is a solid shooter from long-range when she gets the chance.
“It didn’t surprise me that she shot it and it didn’t surprise me that she made it. In a situation like that where they’re gonna really focus on our 3-point point shooters it doesn’t necessarily surprise me that she was open,” said Moore. “I think this game will do wonders for her confidence.”
What might be surprising is that the Warriors (10-3, 3-3 GSAC) have lost three straight — all to unranked teams — to begin 2010.
“We’ve gotta really buy in to playing defense. In the past, this team has always been known for its defense, and we’ve lost the past three games because of defense,” said Heglund.
The Warriors play at Point Loma Nazarene on Saturday.
