Posted: Dec 13, 2023
By Francisco Claudio
With only two games left in the 2023 calendar year, the Westcliff women's basketball team was looking to get back on track as they faced the Northern New Mexico College Eagles on Tuesday.
Well, veteran leader Katie Nguyen had her best game of this season recording a double-double to lead the Warriors past the Eagles, 65-61.
Nguyen recorded 18 points and 10 rebounds in 32 minutes of action with an efficient scoring of 55% from the field and 73% from the free throw line.
But it wasn't an easy win for the Warriors as the Eagles played well and responded well throughout the game.
The Eagles took the first quarter by two points 13-11 and Westcliff responded by winning the second quarter 20-12.
After the half-time break, Northern New Mexico came out better prepared and won the third quarter to go up 48-44 heading into the fourth.
After going back and forth in the last quarter the Warriors were able to tie it up 59-59 with 2:09 left to go.
A layup by Nguyen gave the Warriors the lead and Camryn McMahan would give them two more points after a couple of free throws.
With one minute to go Westcliff had a four-point lead and were getting the stops they desperately needed.
Nguyen scored two more points after a pair of free throws and with only a few seconds to go, the Warriors were able to secure the win and get back in the winning column.
"A very close game," said assistant coach Mary Dishoian. "It was a great team effort, we needed 1-15 today and they stepped up and took care of it."
Valissa Millhouse had a strong game with a near double-double as she scored 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Millhouse also added four assists.
Off the bench, Akilah Kubi scored eight points and grabbed nine rebounds.
Westcliff shot 46% from the field and went 17-30 from the free-throw line. Free throws have been a point of emphasis this season as the team would like to shoot in the high 70% or better from the charity strike.
"Every day in practice and pregame we talk about how basketball is a game of runs and we instill that in our mindset in order to take care of it," Dishoian said. "Free throws will always be a big key in the game, we got some to go and kept the lead-up."
With the win the Warriors improve to (5-4, Cal Pac 3-1) and will have one more game this Friday before they go on a short break for the holidays.
"Just keep doing what we're doing," Dishoian said. "We're going to be short-handed again but will try and go 2-0 this week."
