By Kaci Mexico
January 16, 2017
 
(ATHERTON, Calif.) Led in scoring by Kayla Sato with 20 points, the third ranked Westmont Women's Basketball team (16-1, 6-0 GSAC) had its thirteenth consecutive victory when it defeated Menlo (9-8, 0-4 GSAC) by a score of 75-66.

Along with Sato, two other Warriors scored in the double-digits – Aysia Shellmire and Aimee Brakken each put up 17 points. Additionally, Lauren McCoy led the team in rebounds with 12 and Cora Chan led in assists with six.

Within the first two and a half minutes Westmont went on a 10-2 run to take an early lead – McCoy put up two layups and Brakken and Sato each hit a three pointer. Throughout the quarter, the Warriors improved this lead to 16 points, however in the final 4:22 of the quarter the Oaks went on a 10-2 run to come within eight (24-16).

Brakken hit a three-pointer to start out the second quarter, but the Oaks immediately seized back the momentum that they had when they finished the first period and went on a 8-0 run to come within three (27-24). Westmont followed with a 8-3 run to increase their lead to eight to end the first half leading by a score of 37-29.

Throughout the third period, Westmont strove to pull further away, while Menlo endeavored to bridge the gap and take a lead. The Warriors succeeded in pulling away and increased their lead to 13, until the last 2:33 of the third, when the Oaks went on an 11-3 run to come within five points (55-50).

In the final period, with 7:16 left to play, Westmont went on a 12-2 run to take a 15 point lead (73-58) -Shellmire put up two layups, Sato had a jump shot, and Chan and Brakken each hit a three-pointer. With only 2:19 remaining, Menlo attempted to pull off a comeback, but Westmont's defense efforts prevailed and the Oaks could only come up with an 8-2 run to close out the game.

All in all, the Oaks led the game in field goal percentage with 50.0 – the Warriors shot at 48.4 percent. However, on the defensive end, the Warriors dominated the boards with 38 to Menlo's 28 rebounds.

Coming up this week, the Warriors will host two Golden State Athletic Conference games – one on Thursday against #17 The Master's (12-4, 2-3 GSAC) at 5:30 p.m. and one on Saturday against San Diego Christian (12-5, 2-4 GSAC).