By Ron Smith
November 8, 2024
 
(BURNABY, British Columbia) Westmont Women's Basketball started the season on Friday evening by taking on #6 Montana State Billings (3-1) on the campus of Simon Fraser. Unfortunately, the Yellowjackets handed the Warriors a 52-40 loss.
 
"I am grateful for the opportunity to play a top-ranked team in our region from the get-go," said Westmont's head coach Kirsten Moore. It allowed us to see what it takes to be a top-10 team in Division II. For a great deal of the game, I think we showed that we can play at that level."
 
Returning to the court after being forced to the sideline all last year with an injury was Lisa Kiefer who posted a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds. Kiefer went five of nine from the floor.
 
"Lisa – her motor, how hard she plays, her length, her ability to play on both ends of the floor – was really fun to see," expressed Moore. "Obviously, that showed on the stat line in a double-double, but I think it also showed in a lot of ways that don't show in a stat line. She changes the game out there. I am proud of her and all the work she has put in to get back out on the court. I am excited for her and the journey ahead."
 
Molly Garnand also tallied 10 points on four of eight shooting and made a defensive contribution with eight rebounds and three blocks. Kate Goostrey, notched 10 points as well for the Warriors, going four of nine from the field including two of four from beyond the arc.
 
"Kate, our lone senior – her competitiveness, her focus, her fire - was phenomenal tonight," assessed Moore. "There was no quit in our team and she was a large part of that. She rallied us when they would make a run and we would make a run back."
 
The Warriors fell behind 12-5 in the first quarter but closed out with a 10-0 run to finish the opening frame with a 15-12 lead. Kiefer started the run with a layup before Sage Kramer (six points, three assists, three rebounds) followed suit.
 
A layup by Goostrey pulled the Warriors within one before Kramer struck again in the paint and put the Warriors up 13-12. A jumper by Kiefer completed the first-quarter scoring.
 
Unfortunately for Westmont, the offense struggled in the second and third quarters, and Billings pulled out to a  36-25 lead headed into the final frame. The Warriors' scoring ability returned in the fourth quarter as they tallied 15 points. However, the Yellowjackets put up 16 points and kept the Warriors at bay.
 
"We are a young team in the sense that this is our first time out there playing with a predominately new group of people," reflected Moore. "So many newcomers have the opportunity to come in and make an impact. I am excited for the growth we are going to see as that all comes together.
 
"We just have to stay the course, keep working and problem solving, and continue to build trust with each other. That will allow us to run our plays better on the offensive end. We have a lot of weapons and I am excited to see that continue to build."
 
Westmont will continue the new season tomorrow when they take on the host Red Leafs of Simon Fraser in a game scheduled for 3:15 p.m.