SLIAC Game of the Week: Spalding at Westminster
Posted: Jan 19, 2016

SLIAC Game of the Week: Spalding at Westminster

At a Glance
This week's SLIAC Game of the Week features Spalding University and Westminster College in a women's basketball battle for position in the conference standings. Spalding is 11-4 overall and 5-3 in the SLIAC and begin the week with a three game winning streak, the third longest active streak in the conference. Westminster starts the week 10-4 overall and 6-2 in the SLIAC with a four game winning streak. The game is set for Saturday, January 23 at 1 p.m. in Westminster Historic Gymnasium in Fulton, Missouri. You can follow on Live Stats HERE or watch on Video HERE

 

About Spalding
Spalding starts the week with an 11-4 overall record and a 5-3 conference mark. They have won three straight, defeating Principia, MacMurray, and Webster, and are on the road at Blackburn on Thursday night before they travel to Westminster.

The Golden Eagles are averaging 68.2 points per game, fourth best in the conference, and allowing just 58.5 points per game. They play a tight defensive game, holding opponents to just 34-percent shooting and are second in the league in rebounding margin.

The Golden Eagles lost starting guard and leading scorer, Dee Dee Sliter early in the season but have adjusted nicely with a well rounded team effort. Four players are averaging double figures in scoring, led by freshman guard Alex Martin (11.7 ppg). Martin also leads the team in assists (3.7) and steals (1.9) per game. After losing two All-Conference forwards last year, junior Maya Hardin has stepped up and provided the team with solid inside game. Hardin is averaging 10.9 points and a team high 7.6 rebounds per game.

About Westminster
Westminster begins the week 10-4 overall and 6-2 in conference play. They have won four straight games, the second longest active streak in the SLIAC. The Blue Jays have rolled off wins over Eureka, Blackburn, Webster, and MacMurray during their streak and will travel to Principia College on Tuesday before hosting Spalding on Saturday.

The Blue Jays are the SLIAC's top scoring team at 73.0 points per game, shooting 41.6 percent from the field and averaging 8.4 three-pointers per game. The Blue Jays allow an average of 66.9 points per game.

The inside-outside duo of Andrea Zalis and Kasey Gatson lead the dangerous Blue Jay attack. Zalis, a junior forward, averages 15.1 points and 6.2 rebounds per game but can also step outside and knock down the three-pointer; with 36 three's this season. Gatson, a senior guard, leads the team in scoring at 15.4 points per game while shooting 47-percent from the field. Krista Armontrout, 11.8 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, and Mackenzie Haddox, 10.9 points and 4.6 assists per game, add to the offensive punch.

Game Notes

  • Westminster leads the series against Spalding 8-7, snapping a three game win streak by Spalding.
  • Spalding and Westminster are just two of three teams who have made the SLIAC Tournament in each of the last three years. The third team is Eureka College.
  • In addition to ranking in the top 5 of the SLIAC in scoring, Westminster's Kasey Gatson and Adrea Zalis also rank in the top 5 in three point shooting percentage.
  • Spalding has won the last two SLIAC Tournaments; as well as capturing the regular season title last year.