ELSAH, IL – After winter weather pushed the game back a couple days, the Principia Women's Basketball team hosted the Westminster College Blue Jays on Thursday evening for an important matchup between two of the top SLIAC teams. The Panthers played their best game of 2024 and turned up the defense on the Blue Jays to rally for their first win of the new year.
This was a defensive battle from the outset with both teams bringing their stingy defense and work ethic to make the game a nail-bitter till the end. In one of the lowest scoring opening quarters in a while, the score was 8-5 in favor of Principia at the end of the first. The second quarter started out all Blue Jays as they jumped out to a 21-10 lead on several turnovers by the Panthers leading to easy buckets. After a timeout by Principia to collect themselves, the Panthers went on a quick 8-0 run to get into the game. By halftime, Westminster would hold a slim 24-22 lead.
Principia came out in the third wanting to make a statement that their recent string of bad third quarters was going to come to an end. Westminster also came out determined came out strong and a back-and-forth quarter ended with the Blue Jays up by three at 41-38. The tight battle continued throughout the fourth quarter as neither team led by more than one possession the entire time.
The Panther defense stepped up big in the final minute with several key stops. Down by one with 30 seconds remaining, Principia forced a missed layup by Westminster and
Taylor Brown grabbed a huge rebound. A Panthers timeout advanced the ball to half court and gave them time to setup a play.
Ariana Williams took the inbounds pass and immediately attacked the paint to score the winning bucket with 25 seconds left off a beautiful, left handed floater. On the ensuing Blue Jays possession, Williams made a crucial steal with 10 seconds to go. Westminster had one more chance to win it after missed Panther free throws, but the Blue Jays never got a shot off as Principia held on for the 55-54 victory.
The win brings the Principa women back into a tie for second place in the SLIAC with Greenville. The Panthers were led by
Taylor Brown with 19 points on 9-14 field goals.
Paige Fowler had another great game with 11 points and 7 rebounds.
Ariana Williams finished with 10 points and 6 rebounds to go along with her late game heroics.
Elyssa White had a great night in her second collegiate start as she led the Panthers with 8 rebounds and 5 assists.
Coach Ro said afterwards: "I am always amazed at the resilience of these women. None of them want to let any of their teammates down. They had lots of fun during a great week of practice and it shows tonight in how hard they played for each other. Elyssa had a huge day and really stepped up as a freshman, and each of these women had an amazing night defensively. This was a team win, and I am so happy for them."
Up Next: The Panthers are right back at it on Saturday at Blackburn College at 1:00 pm. Come out to Carlinville to support if you can brave the cold weather!
