JACKSONVILLE, Ill. -Westminster women's basketball earned their first win of the season with a 68-51 victory over Millikin in the Tipoff Tournament.
The Blue Jays start the season 1-1 with the win.
"I was really happy with how we responded today," said Westminster Head Coach James Arnold. "We had a quick turnaround against a really tough Millikin squad. We worked so hard today and defended as a team. We are still missing a beat offensively but I am positive that both will come with more practice and games under out belt."
Both teams got off to a slow start offensively, with both teams scoring just three points each in the opening five minutes of play.
The Blue Jays went on a 9-0 run late in the first quarter with layups from Mirrakohl Johnson, Kendahl Adams, and Makayla Jackson and a three-pointer from Kendal Miller, giving Westminster the 16-13 advantage after 10 minutes of play.
A 7-2 Blue Jay run opened the second quarter, which included another three-pointer from Miller. Westminster took its first 10-point lead of the game when Kalle Dowler hit a three-pointer to go up 31-21 with just over three minutes to play in the half. Dowler hit another three-pointer in the next possession to go up 13.
A Johnson layup to end the half made the score 40-25 to end the half.
Adams opened up the second half with a three-pointer to put Westminster up 16. Johnson increaed the Westminster lead to 20 points with four minutes remaining in the half.
The Big Blue went on an 8-0 run to close out the quarter and pull back within 14 points.
Westminster was able to hold their lead throughout the fourth quarter, never allowing Millikin to come within single digits of the game, taking the 68-51 win.
Johnson and Adams each recorded 22 points in the win, with both adding in a double-double with 15 and 16 rebounds, respectively. Johnson was added to the All-Tournament team at the conclusion of the game.
"MJ had a monster tournament and made big plays down the stretch in both games this weekend," said Arnold. "Kendahl is finding her groove and Dowler showed signs of how special she can be. It was a true team effort today."
Dowler added in 11 points, going 3-8 from the three-point line.
Westminster travels to Central Iowa Nov. 20 for a 6 p.m. tipoff.
