Tugce Canitez scored 23 points and pulled down 10 rebounds to record her ninth double-double of the season as the fourth-ranked Westmont women’s basketball team posted a 63-43 Golden State Athletic Conference win at Concordia.
The win is the thirteenth in a row for the Warriors who have not lost since November 25. With the win, Westmont improves to 18-1 overall and 8-0 in GSAC play. Concordia falls to 6-9 overall and 3-5 in conference.
A little over two minutes into the game, Aubrey Lincoln nailed a three-pointer to score the first points of the game. The Eagle’s Melody Chavez (12 points) responded with back-to-back threes to give the Eagles a lead they would hold on to until mid-way through the first half.
With the game tied at 21 and 4:52 remaining on the first-half clock, Westmont’s Katie Kittle (5 points, 3 rebounds) scored from beyond the arc to give the Warriors a lead they would never relinquish. At halftime, Westmont held a 33-28 advantage.
Erin Beadle (5 rebounds) scored the first point of the second half on a free throw before Chavez drained another of her four three-point shots to move the Eagles to within three points (34-31). However, the Warriors scored the next 11 points to go up 45-31. Concordia was no closer than 13 points the rest of the game and trailed by as much as 25.
Canitez made seven of 15 attempts from the floor and 13 of 15 from the free throw line. The 13 made free throws ties a Warriors’ single game record. Julia Morrow made 13 of 17 on January 15, 2005 against California Baptist.
In other Golden State Athletic Conference play, #10 Vanguard (13-3, 7-1) visited Fresno Pacific (11-9, 3-5) and left with a 67-64 win. The Master’s (9-11, 2-6) notched a 78-57 win over the visiting Sea Lions of Point Loma (12-8. 3-5). Biola (12-6, 4-4) hosted Hope International (4-16, 1-7) and handed the Royals a 77-49 loss.
Yesterday, #13 Azusa Pacific (13-5, 6-2) earned a 94-60 home win over San Diego Christian (14-6, 3-5).
Westmont continues to hold a one game lead over second place Vanguard and two games over Azusa Pacific. Biola now claims fourth place, four games behind the Warriors. San Diego Christian, Point Loma Nazarene, Fresno Pacific and Concordia are in a four-way tie for fifth place.
Westmont will finish-up the first round of GSAC play on Tuesday when they travel to Fresno to take on the Sunbirds of Fresno Pacific. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
