By Ron Smith
February 17, 2018
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) By outscoring their opponent 27-15 in the second half, #4 Westmont Women's Basketball (19-5, 11-1 GSAC) claimed the Golden State Athletic Conference Regular Season Championship. The Warriors defeated The Master's (17-8, 6-6) by a score of 54-41 to win their ninth in a row and 13 of their last 14 games.
 
"There weren't very many people outside of our locker room that thought this group would win a GSAC Championship," said Westmont head coach Kirsten Moore after her team cut down the nets in Murchison Gymnasium.
 
"We lost four starters and only returned four players that played last year. We had very little experience, but we had some seniors who have taught our younger people a lot. And we had a sophomore class in Joy Krupa and Maud Ranger who are two of the best defenders that have ever played here and are two of the best defenders in the country. Seeing them come into their own offensively as well has been super fun. Our freshmen have been great learners. We have improved so much and I am really proud of the day-in and day-out effort this group has given."
 
This is the fourth time in the last seven seasons that the Warriors have claimed the regular season GSAC crown.
 
"This league is so tough this year," acknowledged Moore. "Every team battles. The Master's played a very tough game against us tonight. They defended us well and were very physical. They made us work for everything. I'm proud of my team for sticking with it."
 
Senior Morgan Haskin led the Warriors with 13 points, making five of eight from the field and three of four from the free throw line. She also tallied five rebounds and three blocks.
 
"Morgan was a huge highlight for us in the first half," said Moore. "They were trying to do everything they could do to take her out of the game with double-teams and triple-teams. However, she was still able to finish well in the first half.
 
"That was really important for us with McCoy being out due to foul trouble during the first half. She gave us that inside presence from the beginning. It was another outstanding game in an incredible career."
 
McCoy, who saw just 17 minutes of action in the game, registered a double-double – her seventh of the season – with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
 
"McCoy in foul trouble in the first half was far from ideal," said Moore. "In true senior fashion, she didn't let it fluster her. She was the biggest cheerleader on the bench, going crazy for her teammates. When she got back in there in the second half, she was able to have some success and made some really huge plays for us."
 
The senior forward pulled down four rebounds and scored eight points in the final frame.
 
Senior Jae Ferrin was called upon to fill most of the minutes that McCoy spent on the bench. She did so with 10 points, five rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
 
"We had three-players in double digits and they were our three seniors," noted Moore. "They have been incredible leaders and have led in their own different ways. To see them grow over the last four years and maximize their gifts and talents has been so rewarding."
 
Haskins, Ferrin and McCoy were honored before the game for their contributions to Westmont Women's Basketball over the last four years.
 
"In the second half, when we really needed to try and win a big game for our seniors and win a championship, our defense came through for us again, holding them to single digits in both the third and fourth quarter."
 
Westmont has the third-ranked defense in the NAIA, holding their opponents to an average of just 49.8 points per game.
 
"From day one, our defense has been really good this year. It took us a long time to get our offense going this season. I really believe this is the most improved team I have coached in 20 years of coaching. I am proud of all that this team has accomplished to date, but we know we are not done yet."
 
A crucial part of the Warriors' success tonight was control of the glass. Westmont outrebounded The Master's 44-20 and pulled down 15 offensive rebounds while yielding just six.
 
"When we played The Master's at their place, it was probably the worst rebounding game I have coached," said Moore. "We gave up 31 offensive rebounds at their place. It was an emphasis all week. Our players were tired of hearing us tell them about 31 offensive rebounds. Tonight, The Master's only had 20 total rebounds and that was a huge difference."
 
The Warriors will finish off the regular season on the road next week with games at Vanguard on Thursday and Hope International on Saturday.
 
On Saturday, March 3, Westmont will begin play in the GSAC Tournament as the number one seed. Having earned a first round bye, Westmont will await the winner of the fourth and fifth seeded game that will be played on Friday, March 2. The GSAC Tournament will be hosted by Arizona Christian in Phoenix. The championship game is scheduled for Monday, March 5.