Fifth-ranked Westmont dropped its final Golden State Athletic Conference women’s basketball game of the regular season to 12th-ranked Azusa Pacific by a score of 76-64.
The Warriors last Tuesday clinched the GSAC regular season championship and top-seed in the upcoming GSAC Tournament. However, the loss could result in a lower seed in the NAIA National Tournament.
Aubrey Lincoln led the Warriors in scoring with 23 points while Tugce Canitez posted 14 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. Lisa Peterson added seven points and eight rebounds.
“Azusa played great,” acknowledged Westmont head coach Kirsten Moore. “Their seniors played great. Briana Hall had 31 points and nine assists and we struggled to defend her. Hopefully, we learned a few things that will help us going into postseason play.”
Amber Williams notched 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Cougars (22-6, 15-3) while Rebecca Roehrkasse added 10 points and three rebounds.
The Warriors (26-3, 16-2 GSAC) will host eighth-seeded The Master’s (12-18, 5-13) on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. in the GSAC Tournament opener.
By virtue of their victory, the Cougars will be the No. 2 seed in the GSAC Tournament and will host seventh-seeded Fresno Pacific (14-16, 6-12). As the number three-seed, Vanguard (22-5, 15-3) will host Point Loma Nazarene (17-13, 8-10) while Biola (20-9, 11-7), the number four seed, will host San Diego Christian (20-10, 9-9).
“We are looking forward to hosting The Master’s on Wednesday and hopefully doing some things better, particularly on the boards. We want to rebound from this loss with great urgency.”
