Westminster University Athletics

SALT LAKE CITY – The Westminster women's basketball team rallied from an early deficit and held a four quarter lead before Fort Lewis pulled away down the stretch for a 65-61 win in the Behnken Field House on Friday night.
 
Westminster (10-15, 8-13 RMAC) started the game 1 of 12 shooting and were behind 17-2 nine minutes into the game. They twice trailed by 16 in the second quarter and were behind 32-20 with 2:51 before halftime.
 
The Griffins were able to mount a 13-3 run that carried into the third quarter and they eventually took the lead on a Lancee Whetman bucket with 4:50 to play in the quarter. The lead went back-and-forth into the fourth quarter and the Griffins were in front 51-49 with 7:21 to play when Denise Gonzalez scored in the paint.
 
Fort Lewis (21-6, 16-6 RMAC) took control of the game from their as the Skyhawks scored 14 of the game's next 18 points and the held the Griffins to 1 of 9 shooting to lead 63-55 with 15 seconds remaining.
 
After their sow start shooting the ball, Westminster finished the game at 35.5 percent. They hit on 8 of 20 from beyond the arc with 15 assists on 22 made baskets. The Griffins won the rebounding battle, 47-36, with 16 offensive rebounds.
 
Aubrie Vale played a big part in the rebounding effort with a career high 17 boards. That is tied for fourth-most in a game in team history and it's the second highest total in the RMAC this season. She also scored 10 points and had three assists and three steals.
 
Sydnee Taylor led the Griffins with 19 points on 6 of 10 shooting. The junior added seven rebounds and five assists. Gonzalez and Max Shelley scored nine points apiece.
 
Fort Lewis shot 33.3 percent as a team while connecting on 8 of 15 from three. They forced 17 Westminster turnovers and turned them into 22 points.
 
Kayla Herrera led three Skyhawks in double figures with 18 points.
 
The Griffins are back in the Behnken Field House on Saturday when they host Adams State in the season finale. The action tips at 5:30 p.m. with a presentation for the team's seniors following the game.