Blue Jays Fall To Principia, 75-57

The Westminster men’s basketball team fell to Principia College on Tuesday night, 75-57. The Westminster Blue Jays are now 2-10 on the season and 1-4 in conference.

The first two minutes of the game were scoreless until junior Tanner Gentges was fouled on the fast break. He went 1-2 from the line, putting the first point on the board. Junior Matt Murphy hit two from the foul line before Principia struck an 11-0 run.

A jump shot by junior Brandon Drum brought the Blue Jays within eight with 11:56 left in the first, but Principia scored five to put the Blue Jays down by 13. With 6:38 remaining in the first half, the Blue Jays trailed by 16.

Gentges knocked down a three-pointer coming out of a timeout, and freshman Tanner Cochran went 2-2 from the line after being fouled on a fast break. Senior Brandon Moore then sank a three-pointer to bring the game within 10 with 4:30 remaining.

Principia extended their lead, heading into halftime with a 40-24 advantage over the Blue Jays.

Principia scored the first seven points in the second half before the Blue Jays called a timeout. Cochran came out of the timeout and drained three consecutive jump shots. Gentges knocked down a shot to score the eighth unanswered point, cutting the deficit to 47-32.

The Blue Jays were unable to bring the game back within reach, and Principia defeated them 75-57.

Moore led the Blue Jays with 16 points, followed by Cochran with 14. Gentges, Saldana and Ebert each pulled down four boards.

The Blue Jays return home to host Eureka College on Saturday, January 10, at 3:00 p.m.