Warriors Fall Short Against the Pioneers

The Westcliff women's basketball team was the last undefeated team in the Cal Pac Conference as they visited the University of Antelope Valley last Tuesday.

When a team is at the top of the standings, they become a target for everyone else and always get an opponent's best effort.

The Warriors experienced that scenario on Tuesday, as they fell to the Pioneers 73-63.

This could be a match-up to keep in mind later on when the season ends because both teams have the potential to meet in the postseason.

Through one quarter there was nothing separating the team as they finished tied, 16-16.

In the second quarter, the scoring slowed down for both teams as players were having a hard time finishing at the basket.

The Warriors were held to single-digit scoring in the second quarter which has now happened in back-to-back games for them.

At the end of the first half, Westcliff was down four points but their shooting struggles continued for them as the third quarter carried on.

The Pioneers took this opportunity and extended their lead into double digits 45-25.

The scoring disparity in the third quarter proved too much of an uphill battle for the Warriors as they tried to make a push in the fourth quarter but were unsuccessful.

The loss will overshadow an otherwise great game from Westcliff's Trinity Vasquez who scored 26 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and had three assists.

Valisa Millhouse scored 15 points and had five rebounds to her name.

Eva Taylor had 13 points, with three rebounds, and a pair of assists.

But the number that the Warriors will look at will be the 31 turnovers they had compared to 17 for the Pioneers.

Westcliff can't have that many turnovers against one of the better teams in the conference and hope to compete with them for a full 40 minutes.

The Warriors also allowed 40 points in the paint to their 22 points.

But they will need to fix those small errors to continue staying at the top of the Cal Pac this year.

Up next the Warriors will play their last match of 2022 when they host La Sierra University.

The game will take place Thursday, December 29, at 7:30 PM.