For the first time in two years the #2 Westmont Women's Basketball team (8-1, 1-0 GSAC) defeated the #1 Vanguard Lions (4-1, 0-1) 60-47 in tonight's Golden State Athletic Conference season opener.

The Warriors seized momentum when they scored the first five points of the game in the first minute of play. The run began with a defensive rebound by sophomore Lauren McCoy, who in the following offensive play made a layup. Krissy Karr followed with a three-pointer.

The Lions answered back offensively and the first period ended with a score of 11-11.

Two minutes into the second period, the Lions took their final lead of the game when Lauren Martin made a three-pointer to make the score 17-15. The Warriors responded by going on a on a 20-1 run that lasted the rest of the quarter.

Senior Lauren Sende initiated this impressive run, when she scored three consecutive layups, two of which were assisted by junior Aimee Brakken. Junior Cora Chan added on a three-pointer and a layup, senior Krissy Karr notched a three-pointer, and junior Aysia Shellmire concluded the run with a jump shot and a layup. Overall in the second period, the Warriors outscored the Lions 24 to 7.

In eight minutes of play, the Warriors held the Lions to only one point. Head coach Kirsten Moore attributes the team's success in the second frame to their defensive work and more specifically their success on the boards. Overall, the Warriors outrebounded the Lions 37-36, but in the second period they outrebounded them 25-9. McCoy had the team high with eleven rebounds – nine of which came in the second period.

With this massive run, the Warriors ended the half with their largest lead of the game at 35-18.

In the third period, the Lions closed the gap to 13 points, but in the end they could not close it any further and the Warriors maintained their lead through the end of the game.

Lead by Karr, the Warriors had a 45.8 shooting percentage, while the Lions shot 27.1 percent. Karr was the game's leading scorer with 16 points. Chan and Shellmire were close behind with 13 points each.

In a quick turnaround, the Warriors will travel south to play Hope International (7-1, 0-0) at 5:30 p.m. in their second conference game of the season. "We are already thinking about Saturday's game – it is another big game for us," explained Moore. "Hope has beaten us in the past couple of years and is always a tough opponent. So we look forward to another very important conference game this Saturday."