By Ron Smith
February 18, 2024
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) Four Warriors scored in double figures as Westmont Women's Basketball (11-13, 7-9 PacWest) picked up an 87-71 win over the visiting Silverswords of Chaminade (3-20, 1-17) on Saturday at Murchison Gymnasium. Four Warriors scored in double figures and Destiny Okonkwo recorded her third double-double of the year with 12 points and 13 rebounds.
 
The Warriors, who never trailed in the game, made 11 of 13 shots from beyond the arc including three triples each from Bailey Fong and Madi Bogan.
 
Westmont controlled the boards, outrebounding Chaminade 50-30, collecting 23 offensive rebounds. In addition to Okonkwo's game-leading production, Aleena Cook and Sage Kramer each nabbed eight boards and Navine Mallon grabbed six.
 
The Warriors' rebounding prowess lead to 20 second chance points.
 
Westmont was credited with 16 steals in the game with Fong pilfering the ball on five occasions.
 
Fong led the team in scoring, tallying 19 points, she also produced seven assists and five rebounds. Kramer added 18 points to the Warriors' score and Kristan Yumul contributed another 10.
 
Leading 11-10 with four minutes remaining in the opening quarter, the Warriors went on an 8-0 run. After Bogan hit a three to start the run, Yumul stole the ball and scored on a fast break layup. Mallon hit a free throw before Yumul scored on a jumper to make it a 19-10 lead. A couple of Silversword free throws made it a 19-12 score at the end of the first quarter.
 
At the start of the second quarter, Chaminade closed to within three (19-16), before Westmont produced a 7-0 run to go up by 10. Okonkwo connected on a second-chance layup before Isabella Pearson drained a shot from long distance. Then, Kramer scored on a layup to make the score 26-16. At halftime, Westmont held a 45-33 advantage.
 
The penultimate period was more closely contested, but a triple by Yumul in the Warriors' last possession gave Westmont a 66-55 lead headed into the final quarter.
 
Throughout the fourth quarter, the Warriors held a double-digit advantage. Westmont took its largest lead of the game (83-64) with two minutes remaining in regulation when Okonkwo was fouled on a successful second-chance jumper and converted the and-one free throw.
 
The Warriors will play their final road game of the year on Wednesday when they travel to San Diego to take on the Sea Lions of Point Loma. Westmont closes out the season with a three-game homestand beginning on Saturday, February 24 when the Vulcans of Hawai'i Hilo comes to town.