By Ron Smith
November 25, 2023
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) In its sixth game of the season, Westmont Women's Basketball (3-3) posted a 75-43 win over Life Pacific (6-3) on Saturday afternoon in Murchison Gymnasium. The game serves as a final tune-up before the Warriors begin PacWest Conference play next week.
 
"We took some steps in the right direction today," said Westmont's head coach Kirsten Moore. "We are trying to focus on some things that have been the foundation of this program with our defense and our rebounding and doing a better job of taking care of the ball. Tonight, we had just nine turnovers. There were still some that were unforced, but it's a step in the right direction."
 
Westmont outrebounded the like-nicknamed Warriors of Life Pacific 44-34 and pulled down 11 rebounds off the offensive glass that let to 14 second-chance points. Westmont scored 20 points on turnovers, compared to four for Life Pacific, and scored 32 points in the paint.
 
"We had a lot of young players who had opportunities to step in and do some great things," emphasized Moore. "That was great to see. Kristan Yumul had to step in with Bailey Fong out at the point. Kristan was super solid for us with eight assists and eight points. She had a lot of composure at the point.
 
"Molly Garnand really got it done both on the boards and hitting her shots with a double-double and five assists. They were doubling in the post and she was kicking out and finding shooters. She had three blocks and two steals too, so that is a great line."
 
Garnand's double-double consisted of 18 points and 10 rebounds, both of which were not only game highs, but also her season bests.
 
Westmont got off to a strong start, outscoring Life Pacific 19-11 in the first quarter. Sage Kramer scored nine of her 11 points in the opening frame, including a lay-up to beat the expiring clock. For the game, Kramer pulled down eight rebounds and pilfered the pill four times.
 
Yumul and Aleena Cook tallied five each in the opening frame with Cook posting 13 points and seven rebounds in 20 minutes of play.
 
"Aleena has been so efficient for us," noted Moore. "She is finishing well and she had a lot of good o-board put-backs that gave us some momentum early. Her efficiency in playing half a game was huge for us out there."
 
Westmont extended its lead to 37-19 at the half with Garnand tallying eight points on four of six shooting from the floor. Cook added four while Madi Bogan and Navine Mallon each connected on a triple.
 
"Madi Bogan, off the bench, was a spark for us," offered Moore. "I also really appreciate Giulia Abraham out on the court with her leadership and her voice and talk and making people around her better. That is so important for us with so much youth out there. She is bringing some experience that is helpful."
 
Bogan tallied eight points on the night along with two rebounds and two assists. Abraham notched five points and three assists. Mallon also had five points. Westmont's bench outscored Life Pacific's 38-16.
 
In the third quarter, Life Pacific put on a run and outscored the Warriors 20-16. However, that output was mitigated on the final play of the penultimate period. With five seconds remaining Garnand pulled down a defensive rebound and passed the ball to Yumul in the back court. Yumul dribbled up the court, then, with 1.3 showing on the clock, launched a shot from beyond midcourt. The ball banked off the glass and through the net to make the score 53-39 going into the final frame.
 
The Warriors from Montecito returned to form in the fourth quarter, scoring the first eight points to take a 61-39 advantage. Westmont outscored Life Pacific 22-4 in the final 10 minutes.
 
Next week, Westmont opens PacWest play with three games in the state of Hawaii. On Thursday and Saturday, the Warriors will take on Chaminade and Hawai'i Pacific respectively on Oahu. Then on Monday, Westmont will take on Hawai'i Hilo on the big island.