By Ron Smith
February 10, 2024
 
(SAN RAFAEL, Calif.) Westmont Women's Basketball (10-12, 6-8 PacWest) had not led since two minutes into the second quarter, but with 17 seconds remaining in regulation, Destiny Okonkwo sank two free throws to put the Warriors on top 59-58. A missed layup on the other end with the clock nearing 0:00 was rebounded by Okonkwo to secure Westmont's fourth win in a row.
 
Okonkwo recorded a double-double of 12 points and 20 rebounds. The latter number was a career best for Okonkwo and ties for fifth most by a Warrior in a single game in program history. It was the first double-double of the year for the senior forward and the sixth of her career.
 
Sage Kramer led the Warriors in scoring, tallying 14 points and four rebounds. Madi Bogan also recorded double-digit points with 10 points and three rebounds.
 
The game was close throughout with neither team holding a double-digit lead at any point. Westmont started off the game on a 6-0 run on two layups by Bailey Fong and one by Kramer. However, the Penguins responded and took a 9-7 lead with three minutes remaining in the opening frame. Westmont tied the game at 11 and again at 13 before taking a 15-13 lead on a fastbreak jumper by Bogan with just over a minute on the first-quarter clock. Headed into the second period, Westmont led by a single point (17-16).
 
A layup by Dominican's Olga Faasolo put the Penguins on top before Okonkwo scored on a second-chance bucket to give Westmont a 19-18 lead. It was, however, the last lead the Warriors would hold for more than 27 minutes. At halftime, it was Dominican who held a one-point advantage (30-29).
 
The Penguins scored the first eight points of the third quarter before a triple from Kramer and another second-chance layup by Okonkwo cut Dominican's advantage to four (38-34). The two teams played even the rest of the quarter, taking a 45-41 Penguin lead into the fourth.
 
Midway through the final frame, the Warriors found themselves facing a seven-point deficit (53-46). A pair of free throws by Aleena Cook diminished the lead to five before Kramer scored on a layup to make it 53-50.
 
The Penguins' Adia Walker drained a shot from long distance to return the margin to six (56-50) with three and one-half minutes to go. Fouled on the next possession, Kramer made the first of two free throw attempts. Her second attempt was off the mark but Okonkwo collected one of her 10 offensive rebounds. That led to a 3-point field goal by Kristan Yumul, pulling the Warriors to within two (56-54) with 2:45 left to play.
 
Just 19 seconds later, Faasolo scored on a layup to make the score 58-54. Then, with 50 seconds remaining on the clock, Yumul drained another triple, making it a one-point game (58-57).
 
The Penguins pushed the rock up the court but Faasolo missed a jumper. Walker grabbed the offensive rebound and fed it back to Faasolo for a second attempt. This time, however, Kramer blocked the ball preventing the shot and a jump ball was called. The Penguins had the advantage of the alternating possession arrow.
 
With 23 seconds on the clock, Dominican inbounded the ball and Alaiyah San Juan attempted a layup that was contested by Okonkwo. The ball bounced off the rim and back to Okonkwo who was fouled by Faasolo as she attempted to retrieve the ball.
 
That's when Okonkwo stepped to the free throw line and calmly swished both attempts to give Westmont a 59-58 lead. Keyonee Neal would get off one more attempt for the Penguins, but it did not fall. Okonkwo grabbed the rebound and the victory for the Warriors.
 
Westmont returns home to take on Azusa Pacific (21-3, 15-0) on Wednesday. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.