Zalis Grabs Double-Double In Close Loss To Spalding

Freshman Andrea Zalis grabbed her career first double-double in Westminster’s 59-64 loss to Spalding University Monday afternoon. Zalis put up 19 points and pulled down 12 rebounds. The Blue Jays are now 5-4 in St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) play and 7-8 overall.

The Blue Jays grabbed a 10-0 lead after the first four minutes of the game. The Spalding Golden Eagles found their way on the board after 5:15 of play. The Blue Jays pulled up an 8 point lead with 9:35 left in the first half and held on. Two good free throw shots by sophomore Sadie Theroff gave the Blue Jays an 11 point lead, 31-20, with 3:06 remaining in the half. The Golden Eagles followed with an 8-0 run, so the Blue Jays headed into halftime with the 33-29 lead.

The Blue Jays held the lead until a jumper by Spalding tied the game at 40-40 with 13:26 left in the game. The Golden Eagles then took the lead and with 9:41 on the clock, the Blue Jays trailed 43-50. In the final minute of the game, the Blue Jays trailed 53-61. A three-pointer by Theroff brought the Blue Jays to within 5, 56-61.

Sophomore Mackenzie Haddox knocked down a three-pointer with 37 seconds left, putting the game at 59-62. A missed three-pointer with three seconds remaining in the game forced the Blue Jays to foul to stop the clock. The Golden Eagles drained both their free throws, taking the 64-59 lead. The Blue Jays were unable to score again.

Zalis went 4-for-5 from the three-point line and grabbed five steals. Senior Leigh Ann Lutz dished out four assists.

The Blue Jays host Principia College on Thursday, January 23. Tip off is at 6:00 p.m.