Greenville, IL 2/8/2023- The Westminster College women's basketball team traveled to Greenville University for a matchup of two of the top three teams in the SLIAC. The Panthers hung around to make it interesting late, but the Blue Jays led from the opening tip to the final buzzer to win the game 66-61. With the win, the Blue Jays improved to 14-8 on the season and 8-3 in the SLIAC. Winners of four straight games, they have now tied Greenville for second place in the conference with three games left to play. Greenville falls to 15-7 on the season and 8-3 in the SLIAC.
The Blue Jays exploded to start the game, running out to a 17-2 lead in the first seven minutes of play. Greenville would get some offense late in the first quarter. The Blue Jays ended the quarter on a 5-0 run and took a 25-11 lead into the second quarter.
Greenville made a layup to start the quarter, but the offense would slow down in the second quarter. The Panthers would outscore the Blue Jays 12-11 in the quarter, but Westminster would maintain their lead as they headed to the locker room leading 36-23.
The Panthers started the 3rd quarter on a 4-0 run and chipped into the Westminster lead. They would cut the lead to ten points at 40-30 with 5 minutes to play in the third quarter. The lead would ping-pong from 12 points to 10 points until the final minute of the quarter. Greenville scored six unanswered points in the last minute, including going four for four from the free throw line. The Blue Jays headed into the final quarter leading 47-42.
Annette Ramirez (Sarcoxie, MO / Sarcoxie) started the fourth quarter by making three free throws to put Westminster up 50-42. Greenville would mount a comeback and cut the Blue Jay lead to five points at 63-59 after making two free throws with 1:42 left to play. The Panthers cut it to four points in the final 40 seconds. Ramirez would put the game from the free throw line and the Blue Jays won the game 66-61.
Ramirez led the Blue Jays with 18 points. Natalie Archambault (Eureka, MO / -) had 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. Shelby Kurtz (Camdenton, MO/ Camdenton) had 11 points and 5 rebounds in the game.
The Blue Jays will be back in action on Saturday, February 11th when they host Spalding University on Senior Day. That game will tip off at 1:00 PM.
