By Ron Smith
November 12, 2023
 
(MONMOUTH, Ore.) Kate Goostrey tallied 25 points and three more Warriors scored in double figures, but it wasn't enough to keep Westmont Women's Basketball (1-1) from its first loss of the year. The Warriors fell to the Wolves of Western Oregon (2-0) by a score of 76-68 on Saturday.
 
Goostrey, who went seven of 13 from the field including five of eight from 3-point range, also recorded eight assists, six rebounds and two steals. Aleena Cook added 16 points on eight-of-13 shooting and pulled down three boards. Bailey Fong made four of eight from the floor (three of four from beyond the arc) and Sage Kramer was four of nine to notch 13 and 12 points respectively.
 
The Warriors won both of the first two quarters, holding a six-point lead at halftime (35-29). Westmont jumped out to a 10-point lead (13-3) midway through the first quarter when Fong drained a triple. However, the Wolves put together a 12-3 run in the rest of the opening frame to pull within one point headed into the second quarter.
 
Western Oregon continued its run as the second quarter got under way, scoring the first six points to go up 21-16. Goostrey responded with a bucket from beyond the arc and Cook hit a couple of jumpers as the Warriors reversed the trend with a 7-1 run to go up 23-22.
 
With a minute and one-half remaining before intermission and Westmont down 30-29, the Warriors closed out the quarter on a 6-0 run. Goostrey hit a jumper in the paint and Cook scored on a layup. Then, with only single digits left on the clock, Fong dribbled near the top of the key, came back out and flipped a backhanded pass to Goostrey, who had gotten free on the arc. Goostrey's 3-point jumper with two seconds remaining dropped through the net as time expired.
 
The third quarter turned out to be Westmont's undoing, however, as the Wolves offense put up 26 points while their defense held the Warriors to just 13. The Warriors recovered in the final frame, keeping pace with the home team by scoring 20 points to the Wolves' 21. But it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit.
 
The Wolves depth helped lead to their victory. Western Oregon reserves tallied 30 points while the Warriors bench was limited to just one. The Wolves also benefited from 34 points in the paint compared to just 14 for the Warriors.
 
The Warriors return home to host their home opener on Tuesday afternoon when Westcliff comes to town. The Warriors will tip off at 3:00 p.m.