WU's Scoring Drought Hurts Them in Loss

WU's Scoring Drought Hurts Them in Loss
February 11, 2024

The Westcliff women's basketball team saw their fourth-quarter lead vanish in a tough loss against Benedictine Mesa, 62-60.

The Warriors currently sit in the sixth spot of the conference standings at (11-10, Cal Pac 9-7) with the regular season entering its final stages.
 
On Saturday, Westcliff got off to a good start in a tight first quarter. After the first 10 minutes of play, they were up 18-14 after a jump shot from Jalen Long.
 
It was a very competitive game and the second quarter was another example of that as both teams traded baskets. But Westcliff was able to close out the quarter on top again after a three-pointer from Valisa Millhouse to go up 34-30.
 
The third quarter proved to be another win for the Dubs as they shot 53% from the field and held the Redhawks to 27%.
 
As the fourth quarter began, WU had an eight-point lead and the momentum with them.
 
But no lead is ever safe in the game of basketball as the Redhawks knocked down a pair of three-pointers and suddenly found themselves just down one point.
 
With just two minutes left to play the Warriors's lead had vanished to a single point, 58-57.
 
Missed shots and free throws during the final two minutes hurt Westcliff as they were not able to score for over five minutes in the fourth.
 
With less than 10 seconds to go, WU was able to score a basket, but at this point, they were down one, 61-60.
 
Long had one last attempt just before the sound of the horn but the shot missed ending the ball game.
 
It wasn't the prettiest of fourth quarters for either team, but the Warriors not being able to score over five minutes really hurt them.
 
They shot just 20% in the fourth, scoring just seven points.
 
Valisa Millhouse had a strong game scoring 20 points, with seven rebounds, seven assists, and four steals.
 
Eva Taylor was in double digits with 13 points and was 3-for-4 from the three-point line.
 
With the loss, the race to make it into the postseason tightens up a bit for the Warriors. The top six teams make it and they are currently holding down that last spot with four games left to play.
 
It will go down to the wire as the Warriors will have to rise to the occasion and play the brand of basketball that won them four games in a row just two weeks ago.
 
Up next, they will play Embry-Riddle on Thursday, February 15.