Box Score GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.—The Westminster women's basketball team fell to Azusa Pacific, 48-53, in the West Regional final of the NCAA DII Women's Basketball Championship. The Griffins reached the ir first ever sweet 16 by defeating Black Hills State in the first round and Western Colorado in the second round.
The Griffins entered tonight's game shooting 48.8% from the field and 37.9% from three. They struggled to find their rhythm in the first half shooting 28.6% from the field and 3-10 from three. Azusa Pacific shot 42.4% from the field and made 5-11 from three for a 15-point halftime lead, 36-21.
"Hard to feel it tonight, but we had a great season, and in a pandemic," Head Coach
Shelley Jarrard said. "This group has handled the ups and downs superbly."
Westminster's offense came alive in the third quarter to reduce Azusa's lead to 10 after trailing by as much as 18. The Griffins defense stepped up in the second half and held the Cougars to 20% shooting in both the third and fourth quarter.
The Griffins made it a three-point game, 44-47, with 5:46 remaining. The Griffins made several stops in the final five minutes and had several chances to close the gap or tie the game, but the shots wouldn't fall, and the Cougars held on for the win.
"I loved our Friday and Saturday night game play. Maybe such a tight rotation bit us some on our offensive output tonight," Jarrard said.
"Our defense answered the call but the ball on offense would not follow that lead."
Martín led the Griffins with 14 points and six assists.
Sarah McGinley scored 12 and grabbed eight rebounds.
Lyndzi Rich grabbed a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Abby Mangum had a team high four steals and four blocks.
Pagie Uyehara led the Cougars with 15 points and four assists. Alex Lowden grabbed fifteen rebounds and was a point short of a double-double, and Laura Pranger recorded five blocked shots.
Krebs and McGinley were name to the West regional All-Tournament team. Uyehara was name the tournament
Krebs and McGinley were named to the West Regional All-Tournament team. Azusa Pacific's Taylor Shaw was named tournament MVP and was joined by teammates Pranger and Uyehara.
