Three Warriors scored in double figures as No. 7 Westmont Women’s Basketball (6-0) posted a 79-66 win over Cal State East Bay (2-2) on Wednesday afternoon in Hayward.
Senior forward Tugce Canitez led all scorers with 29 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists. The point total was one less than her all-time high as a Warrior. Canitez was seven of 14 from the floor and 15 of 20 from the free throw line.
Sophomore guard Esther Lee drained five of nine from beyond the arc to tally fifteen points for the Warriors. Junior forward Kelsie Sampsion added 13 points and eight rebounds to the Warriors’ cause. Sampson made five of nine field goal attempts.
The Pioneers were led by Lauren Lucchesi with 17 points. Lucchesi made seven of ten from the field. Micah Walker posted 15 points for Cal State East Bay.
Down 13-12 with 15 minutes remaining in the first half, the Warriors producd a 22-6 run over the next six minutes to take a 34-19 lead. However, the Pioneers rallied to close out the half on a 15-6 run, drawing within six of the Warriors at halftime (40-34).
With 12:18 remaining in regulation, the two sides had played even in the second half and the Warriors led 55-49. A 13-4 Warrior run over the next six minutes gave the Warriors a 68-53 lead. Canitez contributed eight points to the run, while Dori Lansbach (7 points) added a layup and Lee connected on one of her three-point bombs.
The Pioneers cut the deficit to no more than 11 points the rest of the way.
The Warriors will now return home after going 4-0 on their seven-day road trip to Montana and the Bay Area. On Saturday, Westmont will host Cal State San Marcos (3-4) in a three o’clock game.
