NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – Stingy defense, near-flawless free-throw shooting and senior leadership will take teams to a successful season. Westminster College women's basketball team displayed all of those attributes during this weekend's Teammates for Life Tipoff tourney.
The Titans turned over University of Mount Union 13 times, leading to a 20-7 scoring differential, en route to a 69-52 victory and the tournament title.
At Buzz Ridl Gymnasium Sunday afternoon, Westminster coerced Mount Union into 30.3% shooting (20 for 66) from the floor, while the host Titans tallied 15 of 16 free-throw attempts and authored a 42-34 rebounding edge.
"I love their defense," veteran Titans' taskmaster Rosanne Scott said from Ron Galbreath Court. "They're gritty, we can match up with anybody. That's one thing we were excited about."
Scott said offseason conditioning has improved her Titans' quickness, strength and stamina, also.
"You can't control how many shots you make, but you can control playing defense, and I was really proud of how we played," Scott added.
Tournament Most Outstanding Player Natalie Murrio (Pittsburgh/Brentwood High) manufactured an 18-point, 7-rebound, 5-assist line for Westminster (2-0). Her Titans' teammate, Camden Hergenrother (Salem, Ohio/Cardinal Mooney High) also earned All-Tourney Team laurels after tossing in a game-high 22 points while adding 8 rebounds and a handful of assists.
Regarding her senior backcourt's chemistry, Scott said, "That's just by playing together for four years, just reading each other and knowing where they're at. They do a good job, along with Lindsey (Bell) – they've all done a great job of making that chemistry."
Also for the Titans (2-0), junior forward Katie Fitzpatrick (Cumberland Center, Me./Greely High) and senior forward Bell (Youngstown, Ohio/Ursuline High) contributed 10 and 9 rebounds, respectively, while junior guard Mariah Vincent (Franklin, Pa./Kennedy Catholic High) tossed in a trio of triples for 9 points.
Westminster went 23 for 57 from the floor (40.4%) and did not miss its lone free-throw attempt until the fourth frame. Marksman Murrio made all 8 of her attempts and first-year forward Gracie Schill (Rootstown, Ohio/Bishop Hoban High) converted all 4 of her tries, accounting for half of her 8 points.
"They're veterans and they've been in pressure free-throw situations, and it's good to see that," Scott said regarding Murrio and Hergenrother, adding, "and Gracie, who's a freshman, also made her's."
Mount Union (2-1) was led by Madison Hensley and Ali Hudik, who hit for 13 and 10 points, respectively. Also, DaeDae Nash notched 7 rebounds and McKayla Dunkle divided a dozen more with Hensley, who also earned All-Tourney Team laurels.
Manchester University's Jessie Ringen and Kalamazoo's Josie Cooke also earned All-Tourney Team honors.
Westminster will travel to Meadville to take on Allegheny College, Wednesday, Nov. 16, for a 6:30 p.m. tipoff and the start of Presidents' Athletic Conference action.
