A shorthanded Westmont women’s basketball team was still potent enough to beat William Jessup, 63-34, in a Golden State Athletic Conference game at Murchison Gym on Thursday.

Due to injuries and COVID-19 issues, the NAIA No. 2-ranked Warriors had eight players suited up for the game.

“Overall, I am very proud of my team tonight,” said Westmont head coach Kirsten Moore. “Like, probably, most teams in America right now, we have been battling adversity between injury and COVID and all the other things coming at us. We practiced with just six players this week and played with just eight. I was proud of the way our team responded, stepped up and stayed within ourselves.”

Westmont improved to 12-2 overall and 5-1 in the GSAC.  William Jessup is 8-10, 3-3.

Senior guard Stefanie Berberabe, last year’s NAIA Player of the Year, tallied 17 points, four rebound, four assists and three rebounds for Westmont. Sydney Brown notched her fifth double-double of the season, consisting of 12 points and 13 rebounds. She also tallied four blocks. Senior guard Iyree Jarrett tallied eight points, seven rebounds and seven assists.

Making just the second start of her collegiate career, sophomore forward Aleena Cook contributed 12 points and seven rebounds. She shot six of eight from the floor.

“Aleena gave us some great minutes tonight,” noted Moore. “She made great decisions offensively and was scoring and finishing at a high percentage. Syd was a beast on the boards and Stef and Iyree were as solid as ever.” 

In her first collegiate start, freshman guard Haylie Dermer knocked down two 3-pointers to post six points and five rebounds. Playing in her first collegiate game, Ebun Kalejaiye gave sixteen important minutes to a thin Warrior squad.

“Haylee and Ebun did a great job stepping up, being ready, making some good plays and making good things happen out there,” praised Moore.

“Today was a day in which people stepped up and helped us stay solid with what we do and who we are as we moved toward the goals we have for this year,” added Moore.

Westmont will continue its season on Saturday afternoon when it hosts the Oaks of Menlo (8-5, 3-3) as part of a basketball doubleheader at Murchison Gym. The women’s teams will tip off at noon with the men following at 2 o’clock.

A limited number of tickets are available on the Westmont Athletics website. Fans must show proof of vaccination to be admitted to the game, must wear masks and must remain socially distant.