By Ron Smith
March 7, 2020
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) For the fifth year in a row, #3 Westmont Women's Basketball (27-3) has captured the GSAC Tournament Championship. They did so by defeating fourth-ranked The Master's (29-3) by a score of 76-67.
 
For the first time since 2012, the Warriors won the title on their home court. Over the last five years, Westmont is 11-0 in GSAC Tournament games.
 
"I can't be prouder of this team," said senior Maud Ranger of Paris, France. "I told the team before the game, we set an identity statement this year. 'As iron sharpens iron, we sharpen each other' was a big part of it. The whole concept is that we make each other better. I told them that we have done that not for one year, but for two years now, because we are the exact same team (as last year).
 
"I said that whether we win or lose, it is a victory because of how much we have grown and how we've come close to each other and been there for each other. We have truly embodied that identity statement. It is great when the scoreboard reflects the work we have put in. I just love my team."
 
Ranger tallied 20 points and 12 rebounds to record her 11th double-double of the season for the Warriors in her final game at Murchison Gymnasium.
 
"Maud's leadership, her steady mentality to continue to trust and believe no matter what, and the fact that she thrives and loves it when her back is up against the wall – that is when she is at her best. Our team follows that and wants to step up and rise up with her," said Westmont head coach Kirsten Moore. "She hit so many big shots today and was tough on the boards, as she has been all year. It is fitting that she goes out of here with a double-double and the opportunity to cut down the nets again."
 
Stefanie Berberabe led the Warriors in scoring, tallying 26 points. Iyree Jarrett notched 13 points and six assists.
 
The Mustangs were led by Stephanie Soares, the GSAC player of the Year, who tallied 35 points and 22 rebounds.
 
The Master's jumped out to a 9-0 lead before Lauren Tsuneishi (nine points) scored the first of Westmont's points by draining a three, five and one-half minutes into the game. That was the beginning of an 11-2 run that tied the game at 11 with 2:24 remaining in the first quarter. Kaitlin Larson (six points, seven rebounds, four steals) and Ranger also delivered from downtown during the run.
 
By the end of the first quarter, the Mustangs had re-established an 18-13 advantage. Two and one-half minutes later, the Warriors found themselves trailing 25-15.
 
"Every day in practice, we are put in situations where we are coming back from a deficit," said Ranger. "If you think about it, every day in practice, that is what we do. Even if we win, we don't win. We are always losing. Because that is the situation the coaches want to put us in. During a game, when we are down, we know not to panic, because we are prepared. I like to think the confidence comes through preparation. Tonight, we were so confident that we would come back."
 
Still down by eight with three and one-half minutes left in the second quarter, the Warriors erupted with an 13-4 run. A layup by Jarrett was followed with 3-point field goals by Berberabe and Ranger. Jarrett added another layup to the run before Ranger drained one more three to give Westmont a 32-31 advantage at the half.
 
In the third quarter, The Masters' outscored the Warriors 21-17 to take a three-point lead into the final frame. That is when Westmont's offense took over.
 
Down by five (60-55) with just under seven minutes to play, the Warriors outscored the Mustangs 21-7 the rest of the way.
 
"Our players can trust that their training has prepared them and has especially prepared them for big moments," said Moore. "I think you saw that in the fourth quarter when they made big plays when they needed to. I'm really proud of them."
 
Two 3-pointers by Ranger and another by Tsuneishi during the final push helped the Warriors take control. Westmont also made 10 of 11 free throw attempts in the final two and one-half minutes to salt the game away.
 
Reflecting on their season, Moore noted how far the team had come. "This year, there was so much uncertainty early on – losing Sidney Brown (to injury) and losing our first game. The players stay humble because all they have to say is, 'Claremont,' which is where we lost by 20 in our first game.
 
"There were a lot of questions about how we were going to pull this small group together and rally. They had a choice after that game of what they wanted to fight for. They wanted to fight for the things that this program has been about and has been passionate about. Those are continuing to care for one another, being the best team we could be and working hard every day.
 
"That led to steady improvement over the season and continuing to build trust on the court. Their synergy on the court and finding each other in the right spots at the right time doesn't just come because of basketball. It comes because of how they care about each other. It is 100 percent team first. We don't have one player who looks at, thinks about or asks about stats."
 
The Warriors will now wait until Wednesday afternoon to learn their position in the 32-team NAIA National Championship bracket. The tournament, which begins on March 18, will be held in Billings, Montana. First round action takes place on March 18-19 with the second round beginning on March 20.