By Kaci Mexico

In the semifinal round of the Golden State Athletic Conference Tournament, #2 Westmont Women's Basketball (28-3) was victorious over Hope International (15-13), defeating them by a score of 72-58.

Westmont advances to the championship game this coming Tuesday night where it will face sixth-ranked Vanguard (25-5) – Vanguard and Westmont have split their past two games.

"I thought we played three really great quarters of basketball today," said head coach Kirsten Moore. "The women were really dialed in and focused. Our effort on the boards was extraordinary, and I just thought we came out with an attacking mentality and obviously got a really good result because of it."

The Warriors demonstrated this "attacking mentality" when in the first quarter they went on a 14-2 run to gain a nine point lead (20-11). Krissy Karr had a jump shot and a three-pointer; Lauren McCoy had two jump shots, a layup, and a free throw; and Aysia Shellmire had a layup.

The Royals continued to battle throughout the first half and the half ended with the Warriors ahead 37-30.

The Warriors increased their lead to 22 when they went on a 13-1 run to finish out the third quarter (61-39). Again, it was Karr, McCoy, and Shellmire who contributed to this critical run. Karr had a jump shot and a three-pointer; McCoy had a layup; and Shellmire had two free throws, a jump shot, and a layup.

"Aysia and McCoy were great all game," explained head coach Kirsten Moore. "They had great energy and focus and they just play off of each other really well. They are so versatile and they can take whatever the defense gives them."

Shellmire had a double-double and led the Warriors in scoring with 25 and in rebounding with 13. McCoy put up 21 points, pulled down nine rebounds, had two assists and one steal. Together, Shellmire and McCoy had 22 of the Warriors' 42 total team rebounds (52.4 percent) and 46 of the team's 72 points (63.8 percent).

"I think Krissy had a very balanced game tonight," continued Moore, "She did a little bit of everything. It was a night where she had a hard time making as many shots as she usually makes – but she contributed in so many other ways and was such a great leader for us.
Karr, who was recently named the GSAC Women's Basketball Player of the Year, put up ten points, pulled down five rebounds, had seven assists, and three steals.

"We did a good job defensively for three quarters," noted Moore. "Holding them to 39 points in those first three quarters was a great effort defensively. In the fourth quarter we got a little loose and I wasn't pleased with our focus down the stretch to close it out.
On the defensive end, the Warriors out rebounded the Royals 42 to 33. "I just knew that we needed to pressure them on defense so we could get some stops," explained Shellmire. "It felt easy to grab rebounds because that is what we have been practicing all week."

With eight and a half minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Warriors led by 27 points. Then, the Royals chipped away at the gap when they went on a 15-2 run.

Moore shared her thoughts about the Warriors' upcoming championship game against Vanguard.

"We are going to have to play four full quarters on Tuesday against a really tough Vanguard team that we have split with," said Moore. "I think Vanguard is peaking and playing as well as they have played all year and so it is going to be a battle every minute on Tuesday. We have to continue to stay focused on the defensive end of the floor and on the boards. They are the toughest rebounding team we will play so that is going to be a huge focus for us."

The Warriors and Lions are scheduled to tip off this coming Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. at Hope International in Fullerton.