Lady Blue Jays Blow Out Principia

The Westminster women’s basketball team blew out Principia College Saturday afternoon, 60-38. The Westminster Blue Jays are now 1-1 in St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) play and 2-4 overall.

“We had a great start to the game on both ends of the floor. We came out with a lot of energy,” said Head Coach Tracey Braden.

The Blue Jays pulled a 14-0 lead before the Principia Panthers managed a jumper four minutes into the game. The Blue Jays then hit four 3-pointers, a jump shot and two free throws to take the 30-7 lead with five minutes left in the first half. Senior Leigh Ann Lutz hit a jumper with five seconds left to send the Blue Jays into halftime up 35-10.

The Blue Jays came into the second half with a 9-2 run, but were outscored 28-25 in the second half.

“We are still trying to figure out what each person does,” commented junior forward Danielle Smulczenski when asked about being outscored in the second half. “It’s still early in the season, and each game we keep getting better. Obviously mistakes are going to be made, but we just have to work through them.”

The Blue Jays shot 43.4 percent from the field after going 23-53. Lutz led the Blue Jays with 13 points. Sophomores Mackenzie Haddox and Kasey Gatson each grabbed five rebounds and Gatson dished in five assists.

“It was great to get all 11 players with us on the court for minutes in the game,” commented Coach Braden. “I think it will be valuable for us further into the season with them getting that game experience,” Coach Braden.

The Blue Jays will host Eureka College on Tuesday, December 17 at 6:00 p.m. The game will be live at http://www.westminster-mo.edu/athletics/live/Pages/default.aspx.