Warriors Take Down LSU in OT

Warriors Take Down LSU in OT
January 12, 2024
The Westcliff women's basketball team had to dig deep on Thursday as they visited the La Sierra University Golden Eagles and came out on top by just two points, 66-64.
 
The Warriors were able to take the lead late in the first quarter and rode that throughout the first three quarters. Heading into the fourth they were up 43-32 after shooting 56% from the field in the third.
 
But the Golden Eagles started the fourth on fire and went on an 11-0 run to tie the game with eight minutes left.
 
Both teams made mini-runs but could never create much separation as the end of regulation was getting closer.
 
With under a minute left, a layup by Janelle Ramos and a couple of free throws by Katie Nguyen put Westcliff up three, 58-55.
 
But in the last possession of regulation, the Golden Eagles were able to tie the game, sending it to overtime.
 
The veterans shined in overtime for the Warriors with Valisa Millhouse and Nguyen scoring most of the buckets.
 
It went down to the wire in the added minutes as Nguyen put WU up 65-54 after sinking two free throws with 10 seconds left.
 
The Warriors defense forced a turnover as Jalen Long got the steal and was fouled with one second left. Long made one of two and the ball game ended as Westcliff earned their first win of 2024 in the most exhilarating way possible.
 
Westcliff shot 38.2% from the field and 35% from beyond the arc. But the stat that will stand out the most is how they forced La Sierra to have 27 turnovers to their nine.
 
Out of those 27 turnovers, there were 15 steals from a Westcliff player.
 
That is a season-high for Westcliff and it was the difference as the last play in overtime was a stolen ball by Jalen Long.
 
Four of the five starters scored in double digits. Millhouse, Nguyen, and Long each had 14 points. Eva Taylor followed with 10 points and four steals.
 
This victory was hard-earned by the Warriors, and they hope it marks the start of a positive run into 2024.
 
Up next they will lace up on Saturday for a match-up against ERAU at home, with a start time of 4:00 PM.