By Ron Smith
January 11, 2020
 
(ROCKLIN, Calif.) Fourth-ranked Westmont (13-2, 6-0 GSAC) scored 29 points in the third quarter - 14 by Iyree Jarrett - allowing the Warriors to erase a five-point halftime deficit on their way to a 72-56 Golden State Athletic Conference win over William Jessup (10-6, 3-2).
 
"William Jessup is a really tough team and they came at us hard from the beginning," said Westmont head coach Kirsten Moore. "We struggled to get our defensive footing in the first quarter. We made some adjustments that I thought we were good. Our players responded and stayed with it."
 
Jarrett led all players with 28 points (22 in the second half) while also tallying eight assists and four rebounds. The sophomore guard made 11 of 18 from the floor and went four of four from the free throw line.
 
"With her decision making, Iyree had command of the offense today," offered Moore.
 
The Jessup Warriors came out strong in the opening quarter, outscoring Westmont 20-14. A low scoring second quarter saw Westmont score one more (12-11) than Jessup, resulting in a 31-26 lead for the home team at the intermission.
 
"We struggled shooting in the first half, but came into the second half confident that we were going to make shots - because that is what we do," reported Moore. "Sure enough, we did a really good job."
 
The northern Warriors pushed their advantage to nine early in the third quarter when Joelyn Stiton (9 points, 6 rebounds) connected on a layup, putting Jessup ahead 38-29 with 8:35 showing on the clock.
 
Jessup was led in scoring by Creonah Bryant (12 points 11 rebounds) and Liz Gehweiler (12 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists). Miranda Zaragoza tallied 10 points and 13 rebounds.
 
Over the next five minutes, Westmont went on a 17-3 run with Jarrett providing 14 of the points on two 3-pointers that followed four layups. Lauren Tsuneishi drained one from downtown to account for the other three points.
 
Jarrett had picked up her third personal foul just two minutes into second half. However, Moore decided to leave her in the game – a decision that could not have worked out better. Jarrett was not charged with another foul the rest of the game.
 
Taking a 55-48 advantage into the final frame, Westmont scored the first seven points on another layup by Jarrett and a 3-pointer and two free throws by Maud Ranger to go up by 14 (62-48). Westmont led the rest of the way by at least 12 points.
 
"Iyree was phenomenal," noted Moore. "Jessup was concerned about our shooters, so she was able to get to the rim and finish. Once they had to do something about Iyree, our shooters stepped up."
 
Ranger recorded her third double-double in a row, scoring 19 points and pulling down 12 rebounds. Ranger was five of seven from beyond the arc and four of five from the charity stripe. Ranger also pilfered the ball four times.
 
"Maud was unbelievable with a great effort on the boards and knocking down really important shots," said Moore.
 
Tsuneishi added 15 points for Westmont, making five of 12 from long distance. Six of her points came in the first quarter when the Warriors were struggling to score.
 
"When we were struggling for any momentum in the first quarter, Lauren did a great job knocking down some big shots to keep us within striking distance as we got our footing," said Moore.
 
The win is the eighth in a row of the Warriors and keeps them in a first-place tie in the GSAC standings with #3 The Master's (18-0, 6-0). The Mustangs also had a come-from-behind win on Saturday, defeating Menlo (6-8, 2-3) by a score of 72-54.
 
That sets up a showdown for first place when Westmont hosts The Master's next Saturday at Murchison Gymnasium. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
 
"Master's is arguably the most talented team in the country and undefeated," acknowledged Moore. "They are as deserving as anyone of being ranked number one in the nation. It is exciting that they are coming to our home court. I hope the community comes out to support us. We are going to do everything we can to play our best. It will be a great match-up between the two undefeated teams in GSAC."