By Ron Smith
January 25, 2025
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) To celebrate Kirsten Moore's 600th game as the head coach for Westmont Women's Basketball (12-6, 8-3 PacWest), the team presented Moore with their seventh victory in a row and a bit of redemption. The Warriors have not lost since January 2 when they fell to the Silverswords of Chaminade in Hawaii by a score of 64-63.
 
Tonight, the Warriors welcomed Chaminade into Murchison Gymnasium, then claimed a 77-49 victory on Kammerer Court.
 
"My biggest takeaway is that we have been emphasizing the importance of team and our teamwork has continued to improve," said Moore. "We saw that on full display tonight. Our depth is helping us, our bench continues to play phenomenally, and we are getting contributions from so many pieces."
 
One of those 'pieces' was junior guard Sage Kramer who tallied 23 points and eight rebounds. In the process, Kramer transcended the career 900-point plateau, landing on 904 at game's end.
 
"Sage continues to be incredibly efficient," pointed out Moore. "She was nine for ten from the floor tonight. She knows where her spots to score are and when to be there. Her growth has been in her ability to make people around her better. She has always been tenacious on the boards and makes so much happen."
 
Regarding Kramer exceeding 900 points, Moore reflected, "When I think of Sage, I think of what I want from all of my student-athletes. Statistics are great, but they are not of eternal value. The exciting thing for me is the growth for Sage in all ways – the ways she has grown as an athlete, and the ways she has continued to grow and develop in the gifting she has off the court. On the court, she plays with a level of poise that has been hard fought for and hard earned."
 
Another component to tonight's success was the production of Jazmyn Shipp who recorded her second double-double of the season. Shipp netted 13 points and pulled down 14 rebounds.
 
"Her rebounding, tonight, was amazing," expressed Moore about her freshman forward. "Jazmyn's presence and confidence are growing as she has gotten adjusted to the college game. We are starting to see her potential really come out."
 
Also scoring in double figures was Noemie Bariteau who notched 12 points, collected six rebounds, and dished out three assists. Molly Garnand produced another nine points and seven rebounds for the Warriors.
 
"Molly is one of our captains," pointed out Moore. "She is such a dedicated, focused worker. She is super driven and sets such a great tone with her work ethic and her vocal leadership. She is wise beyond her years which is why as a sophomore she was voted a captain."
 
The Warriors, who never trailed in the game, jumped out to a 20-13 lead in the first quarter. The final points of the opening frame were scored by Bailey Fong on a triple from the top of the key. Unfortunately, Fong was injured on the play and did not return to the court.
 
Westmont opened the second quarter with a 13-0 run to claim a 33-13 advantage. Five different Warriors contributed to the scoring streak which did not include a deep ball. Shipp went three of five from the floor to lead the home team with six points. At halftime, Westmont led 39-18.
 
Chaminade rallied in the penultimate period, outscoring the Warriors 17-13. Amaya Washington hit a couple of treys to lead the Silverswords, but Kramer went three of three from the floor to counter with eight points. The Warriors led by 17 (52-35) headed into the final frame.
 
After an old-fashioned 3-point play by Chaminade's Sameera Elmasri opened the fourth-quarter scoring, Westmont tallied the next eight points on layups by Bariteau and Kramer and a tip-in and layup by Shipp. That gave Westmont a 60-38 advantage. Westmont led by at least 20 points the rest of the way, reaching a 30-point margin when Skyler Knight dropped in a triple with 10 seconds remaining to make the score 77-47.
 
With the win, Moore's 20-year career record improved to 446-154. That gives her a .743 winning percentage.
 
The Warriors continue their six-game homestand next week with contests against Biola on Wednesday and Concordia on Saturday. Both games are scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off.