Box Score SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – A day removed from a tough, 88-87, loss in a double-overtime bout with No. 12 The Master's College, the Flying Queens traveled to Santa Barbara, Calif., to take on the defending NAIA national champions, Westmont College. The Queens stayed with the Warriors in the first half, but Westmont pulled away in the second half, defeating Wayland Baptist, 77-54, Tuesday night.
No. 8 Westmont (6-4) jumped out to an early 10-point lead, starting the first seven minutes of the game with a 14-4 run. Wayland (3-6) cut the lead to 16-14, however, on a 3-pointer by
Laura Castillo and layups by
Stephanie Afunugo and
Shayla Monreal.
After another short run by the Warriors, the Queens fought back yet again, this time taking a 25-24 lead with 2:59 left in the first half. However, on Westmont's next offensive possession, Celina Gougis sank two free throws to regain the lead for the remainder of the half, and ultimately the game.
The Queens were held scoreless for the remaining 2:30 of the first half and went into the break trailing, 29-25.
After four quick points for the home team to open the second half, Wayland kept close with layups from
Iesha Greer and
Christie Mooney. Mooney's layup cut the deficit to 33-29 at the 17:52 mark, but that was as close as the Queens got for the remainder of the game.
Westmont proceeded to knock down three 3-pointers over its next four possessions without surrendering a basket to Wayland. The Warriors had built a comfortable 42-29 lead with 15:40 to go before Afunugo scored two of her team-high 15 points to end Wayland's scoring drought.
The Warriors continued their stellar offensive performance for the remainder of the second half, going on to defeat the Queens, 77-54, and handing Wayland its second straight loss.
Afunugo led Wayland with 15 points and seven rebounds.
Angeleigh Davis and Castillo had nine points each.
Westmont junior guard Esther Lee scored 36 points while setting a new school record by going 11-of-15 from 3-point range. Lee is 29-of-72 (.403) on the season from 3-point range.
The Queens return to action Jan. 2 to take on their third ranked opponent on the road in as many games, this time squaring off against No. 2 Oklahoma City in their first Sooner Athletic Conference game of the season.
