NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. - The Westminster College women's basketball team snapped a five-game losing streak after a 73-62 overtime win against Thiel College in Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) action on Saturday. The Titans recognized their seniors before the game.
In the first half, Westminster (5-18, 4-12 PAC) took a commanding 17-2 lead with 12:16 remaining. The run was paced by three Titan three-pointers; two courtesy of sophomore Rachel Durbin (Lowellville, OH / Lowellville). Thiel (5-18, 4-12 PAC) got within nine points of Westminster's lead, the latest coming with 3:31 on the clock. The Titans regained a double-digit lead and led 39-22 at halftime. Westminster turned 15 Thiel turnovers into 13 points. First-year Paige Quinn (Pittsburgh, PA / Shaler) led both teams with three steals.
The Tomcats continued to chip at Westminster's lead in the second half. The Titans led 54-42 with 5:24 remaining in the game, however Thiel orchestrated a 12-0 run to tie the game at 54 with 2:32 on the clock. Thiel took a 58-56 lead, its first since the opening minutes of the game, with 1:35 reaming. Two clutch free throws by Durbin with 1:20 remaining tied the game at 58. Both teams had an opportunity to take the lead, but were unable to take advantage forcing extra minutes.
Westminster sealed the win after out-scoring Thiel 15-4 in overtime, led by first-year Kylie Cook (Pittsburgh, PA / Mount Lebanon) with six points.
Four Titans scored in double-digits, led by Durbin with a career-high 20 points who also made a game- and career-high four three-pointers and was a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line. Senior Allison Borts (Youngstown, OH / Boardman) (18 pts.), Cook (14 pts.), and senior Jenna Grandy (Sharpsville, PA / Sharpsville) (12 pts.) also scored in double figures. Cook led Westminster with a career-high nine rebounds. Borts and Grandy added seven boards apiece.
For the game, Westminster out-shot Thiel 38.5% (20-52) to 37.7% (23-61) and held a 40-37 rebound advantage.
Thiel's Jaclyn Watkins led all scorers with 29 points, to go along with a team-high nine rebounds.
The Titans will play its last home regular season game on Wednesday when they host Washington & Jefferson College at 6 p.m.
About Westminster College...
Founded in 1852 and related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Westminster College is a top-tier liberal arts college and a national leader in graduation rate performance, according to U.S. News Best Colleges guide. Westminster is also honored as one of "The Best 379 Colleges" by The Princeton Review, and is named to the President's Honor Roll for excellence in service learning.
Nearly 1,600 undergraduate and graduate students benefit from individualized attention from dedicated faculty while choosing from 41 majors and nearly 100 organizations on the New Wilmington, Pa., campus. Visit www.westminster.edu/advantage to view "Advantage: Westminster" A Strategic Plan 2010-2020.
