By Ron Smith
November 17, 2023
 
(ELLENSBURG, Wash.) Playing shorthanded against Northwest Nazarene of Idaho (2-2), Westmont Women's Basketball (2-2) suffered a 61-54 loss in a neutral site game. The game was played at Central Washington's Nicholson Arena.
 
"It was a pretty rough and physical game today," noted Westmont's head coach Kirsten Moore. "We are trying to navigate a lot of injuries. We have to get a lot tougher on the boards and continue to develop our youth – not just in age but in experience playing together. I am looking forward to an opportunity to do that again tomorrow and see how our non-conference season can hone us with the opportunities we have to try and get better before conference comes."
 
The Warriors were outrebounded 41-28 by the Nighthawks.
 
Aleena Cook led the Warriors in scoring tallying 21 points by making seven of 11 from the field and seven of 10 from the free throw line. Bailey Fong made five of six from the floor, including two of three from beyond the arc, to notch 12 points.
 
Westmont started strong, jumping out to an 11-2 lead to start the game. Cook opened the scoring with a layup and Sage Kramer scored on a jumper in the paint. Another layup by Cook was followed by a 3-pointer from Fong. Kramer then added a layup of her own.
 
Northwest Nazarene scored the next nine points to tie the game at 11 before the Warriors manufactured a 7-0 run to go up 18-11. Molly Garnand scored in the paint, Kate Goostrey hit a triple and Cook added a jumper in the run. The first quarter ended with the Warriors up 18-13. 
 
The second and third quarters were not productive for the Warriors who were outscored 28-12 in the two frames. Headed into the final frame, the Warriors trailed 41-30. Westmont found some offensive rhythm in the final quarter, outscoring Northwest Nazarene 61-54, but it was not enough to cover the 11-point deficit.
 
Tomorrow, the Warriors will stay in Ellensburg to take on the host Wildcats of Central Washington (3-3). Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.