By Jarred Davis
December 1, 2018
 
(SURPRISE, Ariz.) In a back and forth game that saw five lead-changes on the day, one shot ultimately decided the game in the closing seconds. As the final buzzer expired, junior guard Jordan Spaschak drilled the game winning three-point bucket in Saturday's game resulting in a 77-74 Golden State Athletic Conference victory by #23 Westmont (6-2, 1-1 GSAC) over Ottawa (Ariz.) (1-6, 0-2).
 
With the score tied at 74 all, Kyle Scalmanini dribbled toward the basket and found Spaschak in the corner for the game-winning basket.
 
"Jordan Spaschak is a real clutch player, he's a special leader," said Westmont head coach John Moore on his point guard finishing with six points and 12 rebounds. "He only scored three points up until that time, but he shot that like he was the most confident player on the court."
 
Olisa Nwachie led all Warriors scores with 33 points, seven rebounds and four blocks, making 11 of 16 shots on 69 percent shooting.
 
"I was really proud of the way Olisa played," noted Moore. "He just scored and scored many times over the way we expect him to play. He's such a force down low and he had really nice poise tonight."
 
Scalmanini tallied 24 points and six assists, while Matt Ramon added nine points and 13 rebounds.
 
"Kyle has been a rock for us. He's been very good the past five or six games," added Moore. "He made big play after big play and some tough shots to keep us in the lead in the second half."
 
Westmont found itself trailing by as many as 14 (31-17) with 8:20 remaining in the first half. However, the Warriors went on a 20-10 run to cut their deficit to only four at halftime.
 
In the second half, the Spirit were held to 37 percent shooting, while the Warriors went on to shoot at a 53 percent clip.
 
"We were much more patient in the second half and played better defense as well," noted Moore.
 
Nwachie converted a jump shot to give Westmont its largest lead of the game (70-65) with 4:43 remaining in the second half. The Spirit hung around late, but ultimately fell one possession short after Spaschak drilled the game winning shot at the buzzer.
 
"Tonight was a game we very easily could've lost so I'm glad to get out of here with a 1-1 conference record and get back to work."
 
Up next, the Warriors head to Costa Mesa on Saturday for a match-up with Vanguard (7-0, 0-0) on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.