By Ron Smith
February 16, 2020
 
(COSTA MESA, Calif.) A buzzer beater by Iyree Jarrett gave #4 Westmont Women's Basketball (21-3, 14-1 GSAC) a 77-75 win over #6 Vanguard (19-4, 11-3) in Golden State Athletic Conference action on Saturday night.
 
The win keeps Westmont in a tie with #2 The Master (26-1, 14-1) atop the GSAC standings. The Warriors and Mustangs will meet next Saturday night in Santa Clarita.
 
With a minute and 15 seconds remaining in the game, Lauren Tsuneishi drained the seventh of her 3-pointers to give Westmont a 75-72 advantage. Each team missed a 3-point attempt on their next possessions.
 
With five seconds left in regulation, however, Vanguard's Tristen Rollon drained a three-pointer to tie the game at 75-all.
 
Westmont head coach Kirsten Moore called time out and opted to advance the ball to midcourt. The ball was inbounded to Jarrett who, after dribbling for a moment at the top of the key, drove the lane. Jarrett's shot was contested, but the sophomore guard was able to underhand a layup past the defender and through the netting as the clock expired.
 
Jarrett, who made nine of 17 from the floor, ended the game with 20 points, five assists and two steals.
 
Tsuneishi led the Warriors in scoring with 23, of which 21 points were the result of seven of 14 shooting from behind the arc.
 
Tsuneishi's made 3-point baskets this season now numbers 90, which ranks ninth in Westmont's single-season record book. The record of 99 was set by Meghan O'Donogue during the 2005-06 season, which was Moore's first season as head coach.
 
Maud Ranger tallied 14 points on five-of-nine shooting, including four of seven from 3-point range. Ranger also had five rebounds. Stefanie Berberabe dropped in 11 points and contributed three rebounds and three assists.
 
Vanguard's Vanessa Murphy hit a three at the end of the first quarter to give the Lions a 21-15 advantage after the first 10 minutes to play. At halftime, Vanguard was ahead 35-30.
 
In the third quarter, however, Westmont found its range and outscored the Lions 25-16 to take a four-point lead (55-51) into the final frame.
 
With 6:47 to play, Westmont claimed an 11-point advantage (72-61) when Ranger drained a three. Westmont looked to be headed for a decisive victory. However, Vanguard rallied and scored the next 11 points, tying the game at 72. That made Tsuneishi's and Jarrett's heroics necessary to secure the win and allow the Warriors to escape The Pit with their ninth victory in a row.