By: Vinnie Birk - Blackburn College Sports Information
On a gloomy Saturday afternoon, the Blackburn College Women's Basketball Team certainly came to play. With a delayed two hour start time, Blackburn was at the top of their game to defeat the visiting Blue Jays from Westminster, 75-70.
The Beavers found themselves in the middle of a back and forth game before Westminster surged on a 12-5 run to end the second half leading 37-33. Coach Jen Windmiller inspired her team in the intermission and the Beavers came out rolling on a 17-5 run to begin the second half of play. The 50-42 Blackburn lead was the highest lead for either team throughout the game.
With the game winding down at 1:05 remaining, the score was knotted at 70. That marked the eighth time during the game the two teams were deadlocked. A good free-throw by Ciara Morgan (Springfield, Ill.) and a nifty reverse layup by Shelby Smith (Jerseyville, Ill.) gave Blackburn a three point lead with just 24 seconds on the clock.
Two good free throws by Morgan sealed the deal and gave Blackburn a 75-70 victory. The loss now puts the Blue Jays at 6-6 and fifth place in conference. Blackburn improved to 3-8 and all but spoiled Westminster's plans to make the conference tournament.
Smith again was the game's leading scorer as she knocked down 23 points worth. Morgan had an all-around impressive game with 13 rebounds, 16 points, seven assists, and four steals. Briana Rae (Staunton, Ill.) was a force on the boards tying the game high in boards with 14.
A total team contribution pushed Blackburn over the top in this one. Three other Beavers added at least seven points to the effort. Danique Smith (Decatur, Ill.) had nine, Alicia George (Lake Charles, La.) had eight, and Erin Bell (Edwardsville, Ill.) had seven.
Blackburn also held Westminster's Leigh Ann Lutz to just 11 points. Lutz is seventh in the SLIAC among scoring leaders by posting 14.1 points per game. Although she still had 11 points, Lutz was only 3-18 from the field.
The Beavers will welcome conference foe MacMurray college on Wednesday. The 6:00 game will be the fifth of six straight home games.