Tugce Canitez and Kelsie Sampson each recorded a double-double as #7 Westmont Women’s Basketball (3-0) posted a 73-54 win over Montana Tech (2-4). Tugce Canitez recorded 25 points and 17 rebounds while Sampson posted 12 points and pulled down 10 boards.
The Warriors used their height advantage to outrebound the Orediggers 51-21, totaling 23 offensive boards.
“We got great inside presence tonight,” said Westmont head coach Kirstin Moore. “Our rebounding definitely shined tonight, which is what got us the win. Tugce and Kelsie and Lauren Sende (4 points, 5 rebounds) off the bench did a great job controlling the boards.
“Kelsie has started to play with a lot of confidence,” continued the coach. “She made a killing tonight with eight offensive rebounds and a lot of o-board put-backs. Something that we work with our posts on is creating easy opportunities for themselves with o-board put-backs. Kelsie and Tugce are also starting to play really well together with their passing to each other.”
Westmont shot .413 percent from the field (26 of 63) to Montana Tech’s .347 (17 of 49).
“Celina Gougis started her first game tonight and there were a lot of bright spots from her on the court,” said Moore. “She led our team in assists with five and scored nine points.”
Esther Lee recorded 14 points for the Warriors while draining four shots from three-point range. She also had three assists and three rebounds.
The Oregidders were led by Mandy Machinal with 21 points and four rebounds and Laini Kalumbi with 17 points and six rebounds.
The Warriors continue their journey in Montana when they travel to Helena to take on Carroll on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. (PST). In the meantime, the team can enjoy the 10 inches of snow that fell the day before the Warriors arrived.
