By Zach DeMarcus
February 21, 2019
 
(EL CAJON, Calif.) Westmont Women's Basketball (21-7, 13-4 GSAC) held the Hawks of San Diego Christian to just nine second-half points as the Warriors cruised to a 61-31 Golden State Athletic Conference victory. Stephanie Berberabe and Iyree Jarrett both led the Warriors with 19 points apiece.
 
At the end of the first quarter, Westmont held a 14-9 advantage. Six of Westmont's 14 points came from the free throw line. The Warriors went 13 of 15 from the charity strike on the evening.
 
Jarrett led off the second-quarter scoring with one of her four 3-pointers to push Westmont up by eight. The Hawks cut the deficit in half after a made free throw by Kaitlyn McKinney and a 3-pointer by Shayleen Toehe. After a Sydney Brown layup, McKinney hit a three of her own to bring the Hawks within three of the Warriors at 19-16. The Warriors lead remained at three after both teams exchanged two free throw makes and a layup. Westmont would head into the locker room with a 29-22 lead.
 
Both teams shot just over 30 percent from the floor in the opening half. Westmont was nine of 28 (32.1%) from the floor and the Hawks were seven of 23 (30.4%) from the floor. That would drastically change for both teams in the second half.
 
The Warriors extended their seven-point halftime lead to 17 points through three quarters. Westmont outscored San Diego Christian 14-4 in the quarter. Nine of Westmont's 14 points came from the hot hand of Jarrett.
 
Westmont's strong defense continued in the fourth quarter as they held the Hawks to just five fourth-quarter points – totaling nine through the second half. The Hawks converted on just one field goal, as their remaining three points came from the free throw line.
 
Berberabe led the Warriors in the fourth quarter with seven of her 19 points. Brown finished with a double-double scoring 10 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. The Warriors shot 54 percent (13 of 24) from the field in the second half and held the Hawks to just 15 percent (three of 20) from the field.
 
Around the GSAC, #22 Menlo (19-8, 10-7 GSAC) took down #21 Arizona Christian (20-9, 13-4 GSAC) by a score of 88-84. #9 Vanguard (21-7, 12-5 GSAC) defeated Hope International (17-10, 7-10 GSAC) 73-59. William Jessup (19-9, 10-7 GSAC) triumphed over OUAZ (10-14, 4-13 GSAC) 64-54. #5 The Master's (24-5, 15-2 GSAC) secured the conference regular season championship with an 81-40 victory over Life Pacific (1-26, 0-17 GSAC).
 
The Arizona Christian loss puts Westmont in a tie for second place with the Firestorm. Westmont holds the tie-breaker as the Warriors have won both meetings between the two teams on the season. If Westmont wins their final game this Saturday against Hope International, they will secure the second seed in the GSAC Tournament.
 
Westmont will host Hope International for senior day this Saturday at 5:30 p.m.