SLIAC Game of the Week - (2/18)

At a Glance
Entering the final week of the regular season there are still four teams in competition for the final two spots into the SLIAC Women's Basketball Tournament. Two of those teams meet on Wednesday in the SLIAC Game of the Week when Westminster College visits Spalding University. You can watch the game live HERE

Spalding currently sits in a tie for 3rd place in the SLIAC standings with an 11-5 conference record. They face Westminster and Blackburn to close out the regular season and hold a one-game lead over the next closest team, Westminster. The Golden Eagles have won two straight including an 87-53 win over Eureka last Saturday. They are allowing a league-low 62.5 points per game this season while offensively, averaging 72.6 points per game. They are led by sophomore forward Hunter Wright. Wright is leading the team in scoring (14.9 ppg), rebounding (8.5 rpg), steals (32), and field goal percentage. Maleah Hirn runs the offense, averaging 12.0 points per game and leading the team at 3.1 assists per game while also knocking down 37 three-pointers. Megan Goeing is the team's top outside threat with 40 three's on the season while averaging 8.7 points per game.

Westminster will need some help if they are to get into the postseason. They are currently 10-6 in the SLIAC, one game behind both Greenville and Spalding. The Blue Jays are coming off a 79-75 upset over Fontbonne and have won 5 of their last 6 games. They face MacMurray on Saturday in their regular-season finale. The Blue Jays are averaging 74.6 points per game this season and like to push the pace, getting off a league-leading 68.5 shots per game. A balanced attack that features four players averaging in double figures in scoring is led by sophomore guard Reese Arnold. Arnold is averaging 13.9 points per game and ranks 4th in the SLIAC in three-point percentage. Kallee Dowler is averaging 13.2 points per game and has connected on a team-high 54 three's this season while forwards Abbie Reece (11.1 ppg) and Mikalyn Callahan (10.9 ppg) continue the scoring depth.

Westminster leads the all-time series against Spalding 14-10 including a 75-70 overtime win over the Golden Eagles earlier this season. Abbie Reece led Westminster with 15 points in the game as the Blue Jays hit on 9 three's and benefited from 25 points off the bench. Maleah Hirn led Spalding with 19 points.