Westmont turned up the defensive intensity and forced 29 steals in a 71-43 rout over Occidental in a non-conference women’s basketball game Tuesday night in Los Angeles.
The Warriors (9-1), who cracked the NAIA top 10 for the first time in school history at No. 6, recorded 17 steals.
“We had a very slow start tonight,” said Westmont head coach Kirsten Moore, “but we were able to switch up defenses and start getting things going on the defensive end – forcing a lot of turnovers, getting a lot of steals. That really started getting us going.”
Up 18-16 with eight minutes remaining in the first half, the Warriors closed out the half on a 15-4 run to take a 33-20 lead into the locker room. In the second half, the Warrior led by no less than 13 and by as many as 33.
Tugce Canitez scored 22 points on 8 of 12 shooting, including two-of-two from beyond the arc. Eighteen of her points came in the first half. Lisa Peterson added 15 points and pulled down eight rebounds. Peterson made 7 of 11 field-goal attempts.
The Tigers were led in scoring by Brittni Walker with eight points.
Westmont shot 47.4% from the field (27 of 57) and 86.7% from the free throw line (13 of 15). Four different Warriors – Katie Kittle, Erin Beadle, Peterson and Canitez – recorded three steals, with four others tallying at least one.
Westmont will return to Murchison Gymnasium on Saturday when they host California Lutheran (2-3) in another non-conference match-up. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m
