February 19, 2024

Warriors Fall in Epic 2OT, After Great Comeback

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It was a game where you wished the team that came back from a 27-point deficit would win.
 
That's exactly what the Westcliff women's basketball team did as they climbed back from a huge deficit and were able to extend the game into double overtime on Saturday night.
 
But the team that deserves to win doesn't always get that reward in sports as the Warriors fell 88-80 to La Sierra University.
 
In the first quarter, neither team could find any rhythm as they struggled to score any baskets at all.
 
For the first five minutes of the period, the score remained 0-0 until La Sierra scored the first point off a free throw.
 
Even then, both teams struggled as the first 10 minutes flew by with the Warriors down 9-7.
 
But the Warriors continued to struggle as they went down big by the end of the second quarter, 31-12.
 
Westcliff played better in the third quarter but wasn't able to make up much ground and was down to start the fourth quarter, 46-29.
 
But a flip-of-the-switch moment happened to start the fourth as the Warriors went on an early 13-0 run to bring them within six of La Sierra.
 
Slowly, they chipped away at their deficit and then a layup from Valisa Millhouse gave them a two-point lead 58-56 with one minute left to play in regulation.
 
This was the first time that Westcliff held the lead since the starting moment of the game at 2-1.
 
But La Sierra responded back to tie the game and sent it to their first overtime.
 
In a wild first overtime where La Sierra led by seven points with 13 seconds left, the Warriors found a way to make another comeback. It was the score and make them shoot free throw tactic.
 
And then, when they were within three points with only three seconds left to play and their possession of the ball, Eva Taylor shot a buzzer-beater three and knocked it down.
 
The gym broke out in cheers as these teams would go another five minutes in a second overtime.
 
But this time the Warriors fell just short as La Sierra was able to pull ahead handing WU a devasting loss after the many comebacks they had provided.
 
Westcliff fell to (11-12, Cal Pac 9-9) and find themselves tied with LSU and UC Merced for the sixth and last spot that will qualify for the postseason tournament.
 
Valisa Millhouse finished with 25 points, eight rebounds, six steals, and five assists.
 
Jalen Long had 18 points, six rebounds, five assists, and three steals.
 
Taylor who shot the three-pointer that took them to the second overtime scored 12 points but struggled shooting the ball. Taylor shot 25% from the field and 20% from beyond the arc.
 
With the loss, the Warriors find themselves in a tough spot with only two games left to be played.
 
But all they can do is take care of business, win both of those games and see what the other teams get done on their end.
 
WU will close out the season playing against Simpson and then UC Merced on Saturday, February 24th.