Whole Team Effort Gives the Warriors a Win

The Westcliff women's basketball team was looking to bounce back after two home losses as they headed on the road last weekend.

On Saturday evening the Warriors visited Arizona Christian University where they got back on track with a score of 78-54.

Establishing some rhythm and getting back to their winning ways was important for the Warriors because starting the month of December, their schedule is filled with conference opponents.

But facing a team you've never played before is not an easy task. And it showed because it took the Warriors most of the first half to find their rhythm and separate themselves. 

Head coach Kyle Rouse shared his thoughts after the game: "It was a tale of two halves in this one. We let ACU control the tempo in the first half and they took advantage of that."

A couple of turnovers and missed shots during the first half, and the Warriors found themselves down by five, as both teams headed into the locker room.

"(They) beat us in transition and in the 2nd chance points category," Rouse said.

But something that has become a common theme with Westcliff basketball games is the big difference between the two halves.

The women's team would follow in that pattern as they came out with a punch, and it didn't take long for it to result in a K.O.

The Warriors came out strong and at the 8:28 mark, took the lead with a jumper by Valisa Millhouse.

They never looked back and saw their lead increase to double digits as the third quarter ended, 57-46.

Trinity Vasquez was huge as she scored eight points on 80% shooting in the third quarter. Katie Nguyen and Eva Taylor both contributed with six points in the quarter that were part of their run.

The fourth quarter started great for the Warriors as they went on a 10-0 to really separate themselves from ACU and finish the game with the win. 

"The second half was much different on both ends of the floor, holding ACU to a 6-34 shooting in the 2nd half," Rouse said.

It was a whole team effort on both ends that led to a second half with few errors and flaws.

"We were able to find the shots we wanted and were very unselfish in doing so with nearly 20 team assists," Rouse said.

The ball was definitely moving and finding the right person as Vasquez finished with a game-high 16 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

Taylor finished with 15 points with all them coming from the 3-point line.

Millhouse finished with 12 points, five rebounds, and three assists.

"It was definitely the even scoring line we were looking for with 10 players scoring in the game," Rouse said. 

"Our defense was the key though and will be for us moving forward."

The Warriors will continue on the road as they play at SAGU Tuesday at 2:00pm MST.