(PHOENIX) With 24 points and seven rebounds from junior forward Aysia Shellmire, #15 Westmont Women’s Basketball (21-5, 8-5 GSAC) picked up an 84-68 Golden State Athletic Conference victory in Phoenix, defeating Arizona Christian (5-22, 1-13) for its fourth victory in a row. Shellmire made 12 of 16 shots from the floor for a field goal percentage of 75.0.
Senior guard Celina Gougis – who made her return to the Warrior line-up after sitting out three games with an injury – poured in 14 points, pulled down five rebounds and dished off six assists. Junior guard Krissy Karr added another 13 points and eight assists while senior guard Esther Lee notched 10 points.
After the Firestorm’s Sophia Anaya hit a jumper to start the game, Shellmire tied the game on a layup and Lee hit a three to put the Warriors up 5-2. The Warriors never trailed again. At halftime, Westmont held a 48-34 advantage.
As a team, the Warriors shot 53.7 percent from the field (36 of 37) including 31.8 percent from beyond the arc (7 of 22).
With the win, Westmont has taken over sole possession of fourth place in the GSAC standings – significant because the top four teams host first round playoff games in the upcoming GSAC Tournament.
The Warriors are one game ahead of Hope International (16-11) and Biola (15-12) who have a 7-6 conference mark. One game ahead of the Warriors is #16 The Master’s (19-7) whose conference record is 9-4. Should The Master’s and Westmont end up tied at the conclusion of the regular season, the Warriors hold the tiebreaker, courtesy of their 86-75 win over Concordia on January 31.
Westmont will continue their road trip by traveling to El Cajon for a game against San Diego Christian on Saturday. The game will be played at Grossmont College beginning at 5:30 p.m.
