FULTON, Mo. - Despite Andrea Zalis' third consecutive double-double, Coe overcame Westminster women's basketball 87-75.
"Andrea is such a huge staple for this team," said Westminster Head Coach Tracey Braden. "She is solid and we rely on her."
Westminster falls to 3-8 in the nonconference game, remaining at 2-2 in the SLIAC.
Along with the Zalis performance, five Blue Jays managed to score in double figures. They were Zalis (14), Kelsey Ray (14), Payton Beeler (14), Mikalyn Callahan (11) and Savannah Hanning (10).
"Another game with multiple players in double figures - we have the ingredients to compete with anyone," said Braden. "We just have to keep plugging away. We are growing together, and I see progress each day."
After falling behind 9-2 to start the game, Westminster got back in the game with a 7-0 run. A three-pointer from Beeler ended the quarter with the Blue Jays down 17-12.
Solid three-point shooting have the Kohawks a 10-point lead to end the half, including back-to-back three-pointers to end the second quarter. Coe went 13-29 from behind the three-point line, while Westminster hit four of 22.
The Kohawks pulled away to start the second half, going up by as many as 17 points in the third quarter. A three-pointer from Zalis at the 4:44 mark cut the lead to 10, but Westminster couldn't pull back within single digits of Coe in the third quarter.
With under six minutes in the game, Westminster went on a 9-2 run that ended with a three-point play from Ali Perry, putting the Blue Jays within seven, but another small run from the Kohawks solidified their 87-75 victory.
"Coe was a very good three-point shooting team," said Assistant Coach Kristen Warncke. "They consistently made contested shots. We battled and went on runs, but ultimately this was a game that taught us what improvements we need to make."
Zalis' 12 rebounds led either team while Zalis, Ray, and Beeler all scored 14 to lead the Blue Jays.
Westminster returns to SLIAC play after the holiday break Wednesday, Jan. 4 at MacMurray. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.
