Game Breakdown
The Westminster Griffins dropped a 68-51 road contest at Western Colorado on Thursday night at Paul Wright Gymnasium in Gunnison. The loss dropped Westminster to 8-16 overall and 5-13 in RMAC play, while the Mountaineers improved to 14-9 and 12-5 in conference.
First Half
Westminster came out strong in the first quarter, building an early 24-14 lead behind hot shooting. The Griffins shot 60.00% from the field in the opening period, with Madison Anderson leading the charge. Emily Evans hit a three-pointer and converted multiple free throws as Westminster attacked the basket effectively. Anderson scored 11 first-quarter points, and the Griffins appeared in control heading into the second period.
However, Western Colorado flipped the script in the second quarter. The Mountaineers exploded for 26 points while holding Westminster to just 7 points in the period. Ivey Schmidt and Jayda Maves led the comeback, with Maves scoring multiple layups in transition. Westminster's offense went cold, shooting just 18.18% from the field in the quarter. Western Colorado took a 42-31 halftime lead after outscoring the Griffins 26-7 in the second quarter.
Second Half
The Griffins struggled to find offensive rhythm in the third quarter, managing only 12 points while shooting 25.00% from the field. Western Colorado extended their lead behind Maves, who knocked down two three-pointers in the period. Schmidt continued to dominate inside, and the Mountaineers led 57-43 heading into the final quarter.
Westminster couldn't mount a comeback in the fourth quarter, scoring just 8 points on 21.43% shooting from the field. Anderson provided most of the offense with key baskets, but Western Colorado maintained a comfortable double-digit lead throughout. The Mountaineers sealed the 68-51 victory with solid defensive play down the stretch.
Griffin Performances
Madison Anderson led Westminster with 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting, going 6-of-7 from the free-throw line. Anderson added 5 rebounds in 36 minutes and was the lone bright spot offensively for the Griffins.
Emily Evans contributed 11 points on 4-of-11 shooting, including 1-of-4 from three-point range, and pulled down a team-high 8 rebounds in 32 minutes. Ellie Mitchell struggled offensively, scoring 8 points on 2-of-12 shooting but adding 3 steals.
Teuila Nawahine added 5 points and 3 assists, while Klowie Pike scored 2 points with 3 rebounds. Nisa Ellis chipped in 2 points off the bench.
Westminster was outrebounded 43-31 and shot just 32.7% from the field for the game. The Griffins struggled mightily from three-point range, converting only 3-of-16 attempts (18.8%). After scoring 24 points in the first quarter, Westminster managed just 27 points over the final three quarters.
Western Colorado
Ivey Schmidt led all scorers with 23 points on 9-of-19 shooting, adding 7 rebounds. Jayda Maves added 15 points, going 3-of-7 from three-point range, while Addison Harding contributed 8 points and a game-high 12 rebounds off the bench.
Up Next
The Griffins head back on the road next week as they look to close out the RMAC regular season.
